“Since” in Chinese – Zìcóng

Grammar Point:
自從从 zìcóng is a Chinese grammar structure used to indicate the starting point of an action or a state and emphasize the continuity or change that has occurred since that point. It’s similar to the English phrase “since” or “ever since.”

Structure

自從/自从 + Starting Point + Verb/Action

It can be followed by phrases using the markers (以)后 (yǐ)hòu.

自從zìcóng我wǒ搬bān到dào北京běijīng以後yǐhòu， 我wǒ就jiù每天měitiān練習liànxí中文zhōngwén自从zìcóng我wǒ搬bān到dào北京běijīng以后yǐhòu， 我wǒ就jiù每天měitiān练习liànxí汉语hànyǔ
Ever since I moved to Beijing, I’ve been practicing Chinese every day.

自從zìcóng他tā畢業bìyè後hòu， 他tā就jiù一直yìzhí待dài在zài家jiā沒méi出去chūqù工作gōngzuò自从zìcóng他tā毕业bìyè后hòu， 他tā就jiù一直yìzhí待dài在zài家jiā没méi出去chūqù工作gōngzuò
Since he graduated, he has been staying at home without going to work.

自從zìcóng有yǒu了leLINE 和héWeChat ， 沒有méiyǒu人rén傳chái簡訊jiǎnxùn了le自从zìcóng有yǒu了leLINE 和héWeChat ， 没有méiyǒu人rén传chái简讯jiǎnxùn了le
Since the advent of LINE and WeChat, nobody sends text messages anymore.

FYI
WhatsApp isn’t widely used in either Taiwan or China. Taiwanese commonly use LINE, while Chinese prefer WeChat. These apps play an integral role in daily life, offering messaging, social media, and payment services. LINE’s cute stickers and localized features align with Taiwanese culture. In China, WeChat functions as more than just a messaging app; it serves as a superapp for communication, payments, shopping, and more. Therefore, if you plan to have an extended stay in Taiwan or China, it’s advisable to download these apps.

自從zìcóng養yǎng了le貓māo， 我wǒ就jiù不想bùxiǎng找zhǎo男朋友nánpéngyǒu了le自从zìcóng养yǎng了le猫māo， 我wǒ就jiù不想bùxiǎng找zhǎo男朋友nánpéngyou了le
Since I got a cat, I don’t want to find a boyfriend anymore.

自從zìcóng跟gēn他tā分手fēnshǒu以後yǐhòu， 她tā就jiù變biàn了le一個yíge人rén自从zìcóng跟gēn他tā分手fēnshǒu以后yǐhòu， 她tā就jiù变biàn了le一个yíge人rén
Since breaking up with him, she has become a different person.

自從zìcóng我wǒ開始kāishǐ做zuò這個zhège網站wǎngzhàn， 我wǒ就jiù常常chángcháng想xiǎng砸zá電腦diànnǎo自从zìcóng我wǒ开始kāishǐ做zuò这个zhège网站wǎngzhàn， 我wǒ就jiù常常chángcháng想xiǎng砸zá电脑diànnǎo
Since I started working on this website, I often want to smashing the computer.

Common Mistakes

自從从 zìcóng is used to express the starting point of an action in the past. But 從从 cóng can be used to state starting points in the future.

自從zìcóng明天míngtiān開始kāishǐ我wǒ要yào每天měitiān慢跑mànpǎo自从zìcóng明天míngtiān开始kāishǐ我wǒ要yào每天měitiān慢跑mànpǎo ❌
Starting from tomorrow, I’m going to go jogging every day.

從cóng明天míngtiān開始kāishǐ我wǒ要yào每天měitiān慢跑mànpǎo从cóng明天míngtiān开始kāishǐ我wǒ要yào每天měitiān慢跑mànpǎo ✅
Starting from tomorrow, I’m going to go jogging every day.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ Since I joined this company, there hasn’t been a day without overtime.

自從zìcóng我wǒ來lái到dào這zhè間jiān公司gōngsī， 沒有méiyǒu一天yìtiān不bù加班jiābān自从zìcóng我wǒ来lái到dào这zhè间jiān公司gōngsī， 没有méiyǒu一天yìtiān不bù加班jiābān

✔️ Since I started cooking, my friends are reluctant to answer my calls.

自從zìcóng我wǒ開始kāishǐ學xué做飯zuòfàn後hòu， 朋友péngyǒu都dōu不bú願意yuànyì接jiē我的wǒde電話diànhuà了le自从zìcóng我wǒ开始kāishǐ学xué做饭zuòfàn后hòu， 朋友péngyou都dōu不bú愿意yuànyì接jiē我的wǒde电话diànhuà了le

✔️ Since quitting smoking, I have more money each month for drinking.

自從zìcóng戒jiè掉diào抽煙chōuyān， 我wǒ每個月měigeyuè就jiù有yǒu了le更多gèngduō錢qián喝酒hējiǔ了le自从zìcóng戒jiè掉diào抽烟chōuyān， 我wǒ每个月měigeyuè就jiù有yǒu了le更多gèngduō钱qián喝酒hējiǔ了le