From...To (从...到)
从...到
从...到 (cóng...dào) means "from...to" and is used for both time ranges (from Monday to Friday) and spatial ranges (from Beijing to Shanghai).
Pattern
从 + Starting Point + 到 + Ending Point
Explanation
从...到 is a paired preposition structure meaning "from...to." It works for both time and place. 从 (cóng) marks the starting point, and 到 (dào) marks the ending point.
For time: "从星期一到星期五" (cóng xīngqī yī dào xīngqī wǔ) — "from Monday to Friday." For place: "从北京到上海" (cóng Běijīng dào Shànghǎi) — "from Beijing to Shanghai." The structure is the same regardless of whether you are talking about time, space, or even abstract ranges.
In a full sentence, the 从...到 phrase typically comes before the main verb, acting as a prepositional phrase that sets the context. For example: "我从家到学校要二十分钟" — "It takes me twenty minutes from home to school." Or: "从早上到晚上,他都在工作" — "From morning to evening, he is always working."
从 and 到 can each be used independently as well. 从 alone means "from": "我从美国来" (I come from America). 到 alone means "to" or "arrive at": "我到学校了" (I arrived at school). But when paired together, they form the "from...to" range.
Examples
Cóng xīngqī yī dào xīngqī wǔ wǒ dōu yào shàngbān.
I have to work from Monday to Friday.
Cóng Běijīng dào Shànghǎi zuò gāotiě yào wǔ ge xiǎoshí.
It takes five hours from Beijing to Shanghai by high-speed train.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
到北京从上海坐飞机。
Correct
从上海到北京坐飞机。
从 (from) must come before 到 (to). The starting point always precedes the ending point.
Wrong
我从到学校家走路。
Correct
我从家到学校走路。
Each preposition needs its own object: 从 + start, 到 + end. Don't blend them together.
Related Grammar Points
HSK 2 grammar
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.