自从 (ever since) · (自)从⋯⋯
A report needs a starting event
- A student moved here in March. In an April conversation, they say 自从来这儿，我很开心。 — Since coming here, I have been happy.
- The arrival is earlier than the report. The sentence connects a later state to that starting event; it does not describe a route from a place.
A report needs a starting event
- A student moved here in March. In an April conversation, they say since an earlier starting point自从to come来here这儿，I / me我very很to feel happy开心。 — Since coming here, I have been happy.
- The arrival is earlier than the report. The sentence connects a later state to that starting event; it does not describe a route from a place.
Moving here changed how happy someone feels. What does 自从来这儿，我很开心。 communicate?
The arrival is the starting point for the subsequent state. 自从 introduces an earlier starting event. 从 is broader and also works with places or future starting times.
Introduce the earlier starting point
- Use 自从 + earlier time / event，later situation. 自从来这儿 supplies the starting event; 我很开心 gives the later state.
- 自从三月搬来，我去过图书馆三次。 — Since moving here in March, I have visited the library three times. Repeated events also fit.
ever since自从come来here这儿，I我very很happy开心。
Introduce the earlier starting point
- Use since an earlier starting point自从 + earlier time / event，later situation. since an earlier starting point自从to come来here这儿 supplies the starting event; I / me我very很to feel happy开心 gives the later state.
- since an earlier starting point自从March三月to move (i.e. relocate…搬to come来，I / me我去过library图书馆third三次。 — Since moving here in March, I have visited the library three times. Repeated events also fit.
ever since自从come来here这儿，I我very很happy开心。
Use this lesson’s target form 自从 in the demonstrated sentence: Ever since I came here, I've been happy: ____ 来这儿，我很开心。
自从 + Past Event = ever since: 自从来这儿,我很开心.
Keep the report’s endpoint
- The April report counts three visits between the March move and that conversation. It does not mean three visits every day.
- A copy of that April report read in June is still an April report. Do not silently add two more months or claim three is the June total.
In the March-arrival example, what does 自从 introduce?
It marks the earlier arrival, not a deadline. Later situations can be states or repeated events.
An April report says 自从三月搬来，我去过图书馆三次。 What does three count?
It counts visits since the March move up to that April report, not a daily rate.
Compare time, place and a future plan
- 从明天开始，我每天走路上学。 starts a future plan. 从学校走到车站。 starts a route at the school. Use plain 从 in these examples.
- 自从 highlights an earlier time or event leading into a later situation. It cannot replace 从 in every route or future-start expression.
Compare time, place and a future plan
- from / starting at从tomorrow明天to start开始，I / me我every day每天to walk走路to go to school上学。 starts a future plan. from / starting at从school学校to walk走to / arrive到rail station车站。 starts a route at the school. Use plain from / starting at从 in these examples.
- since an earlier starting point自从 highlights an earlier time or event leading into a later situation. It cannot replace from / starting at从 in every route or future-start expression.
In the April conversation, 自从来这儿 introduces the earlier arrival as the starting event.
The March arrival is earlier than this April report; the statement is bounded to that example.
An April report of three visits since March must be updated to June simply because someone reads it in June.
The report’s reference endpoint remains April; the reading date does not supply later visits.
Choose the starting word for this route: ____ 学校走到车站。
Plain 从 introduces a place starting point in this route.
A sequence is not proof of cause
- 自从换了座位，我看黑板清楚多了。 reports clearer vision after changing seats. It connects the observations in time.
- To claim the seat was the only cause, we would need more evidence. 自从 alone does not rule out a new pair of glasses or another change.
A sequence is not proof of cause
- since an earlier starting point自从to exchange换(completed / change)了seat座位，I / me我to see看blackboard黑板clear清楚many多(completed / change)了。 reports clearer vision after changing seats. It connects the observations in time.
- To claim the seat was the only cause, we would need more evidence. since an earlier starting point自从 alone does not rule out a new pair of glasses or another change.
自从换了座位，我看黑板清楚多了 proves the new seat was the only cause of clearer vision.
It connects a later observation to an earlier event in time; an exclusive cause needs more evidence.
Read the start, report and later situation
- Find the earlier starting point, then the situation or events reported after it. Repeated visits need their own count and endpoint.
- Keep 自从 distinct from a place route and a future plan. A time connection does not automatically prove an exclusive cause.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Prepositions.
Read the start, report and later situation
- Find the earlier starting point, then the situation or events reported after it. Repeated visits need their own count and endpoint.
- Keep since an earlier starting point自从 distinct from a place route and a future plan. A time connection does not automatically prove an exclusive cause.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Prepositions.