Grammar Point:
从 cóng… 起 qǐ in Chinese is used to indicate the starting point or moment of an action or situation. It’s similar in meaning to “ever since” or “starting from…” in English.
Structure
Cóng + Time + qǐ
It is also common to use 后 hòu to replace 起 qǐ. However, 起 qǐ implies that the action or situation will continue into the future, while 后 hòu implies the action or situation up until now.
從去年夏天起,他就開始學習中文从去年夏天起,他就开始学习中文
Ever since last summer, he has been learning Chinese.
從八月起政府要提高稅收从八月起政府要提高税收
Starting from August, the government will increase taxes.
從疫情結束起,物價就回不去了,什麼都貴从疫情结束起,物价就回不去了,什么都贵
Ever since the end of the pandemic, prices have remained high; everything is expensive.
從上次見面後,我就沒見過他了从上次见面后,我就没见过他了
Since the last time we met, I haven’t seen him.
從我們吵架後,就再也沒說過話了从我们吵架后,就再也没说过话了
Since our argument, we haven’t spoken again.
從晚上10點起,中國的未成年禁止上網从晚上10点起,中国的未成年禁止上网
Starting from 10 p.m., minors in China are prohibited from going online.
FYI
The regulations, known as the “Online Game Anti-Addiction System,” involved limiting the amount of time minors (under 18 years old) could spend playing online games. Minors were allowed to play for a set amount of time per day, typically with no access to online gaming services between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
(Update in January 2022)
從我決定開始減肥後,我就每天心情都很不好从我决定开始减肥后,我就每天心情都很不好
Since I decided to start losing weight, I’ve been feeling unhappy every day.
Practice
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✔️ Ever since they moved away, our lives have become better.
從他們搬走起,我們的生活就變美好了从他们搬走起,我们的生活就变美好了
✔️ Since the car accident, she has been afraid to drive alone.
從車禍發生後,她就害怕一個人開車从车祸发生后,她就害怕一个人开车
✔️ Ever since I became pregnant, I have constantly wanted to eat spicy food.
從懷孕起,我就一直想吃辣的从怀孕起,我就一直想吃辣的