从…起: Starting From a Time or Place in Chinese
从…起
从…起 sets a time, place, or stage as the point from which something begins. 从 introduces the starting point and 起 closes that phrase before the main clause. Their order is fixed, and neither an aspect particle nor the main predicate may be inserted inside the boundary expression.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
从 + Starting point + 起, + Main clause
Read the structure
从…起 sets a time, place, or stage as the point from which something begins. 从 introduces the starting point and 起 closes that phrase before the main clause. Their order is fixed, and neither an aspect particle nor the main predicate may be inserted inside the boundary expression. Keep the model 从 + Starting point + 起, + Main clause visible while you compare each sentence.
从明天起，我们每天练习口语。
Starting tomorrow, we will practice speaking every day.
Choose the right context
Mark a starting date: 从明天起。 Mark the beginning of a route or range. Announce a rule that takes effect from a stated point.
从下个月起，房租会提高。
Starting next month, the rent will increase.
Respect the boundary
Do not reverse 从 and 起. Do not insert 了 inside the phrase. Do not use it to mark an endpoint; use 到 for that boundary.
起明天从，我们每天练习。
(Starting tomorrow from, we practice daily.)
Repair the pattern
The boundary markers are reversed: The fixed boundary order is 从 + starting point + 起. 了 is inserted inside the starting-point phrase: 从明天起 is a boundary phrase and cannot contain the aspect particle 了.
从明天起，我们每天练习。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
从明天起，我们每天练习口语。
Starting tomorrow, we will practice speaking every day.
从
从
This part occupies the 从 position in the model pattern.
明天
Starting point
This part occupies the Starting point position in the model pattern.
起
起,
This part occupies the 起, position in the model pattern.
，
Main clause
This part occupies the Main clause position in the model pattern.
我们
从
This part occupies the 从 position in the model pattern.
每天
Starting point
This part occupies the Starting point position in the model pattern.
练习
起,
This part occupies the 起, position in the model pattern.
口语
Main clause
This part occupies the Main clause position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
从明天起，我们每天练习口语。
Starting tomorrow, we will practice speaking every day.
从下个月起，房租会提高。
Starting next month, the rent will increase.
从这里起，山路更陡了。
From here on, the mountain road becomes steeper.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Mark a starting date: 从明天起。
- Mark the beginning of a route or range.
- Announce a rule that takes effect from a stated point.
Do not use it when
- Do not reverse 从 and 起.
- Do not insert 了 inside the phrase.
- Do not use it to mark an endpoint; use 到 for that boundary.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
起明天从，我们每天练习。
从明天起，我们每天练习。
The boundary markers are reversed
The fixed boundary order is 从 + starting point + 起.
从明天了起，我们每天练习。
从明天起，我们每天练习。
了 is inserted inside the starting-point phrase
从明天起 is a boundary phrase and cannot contain the aspect particle 了.
起明天从，我们每天练习。
The fixed boundary order is 从 + starting point + 起.
从明天了起，我们每天练习。
从明天起 is a boundary phrase and cannot contain the aspect particle 了.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 从…起.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 从…起. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
从…起: Starting From a Time or Place Questions
What can appear inside 从…起?
A time, place, or stage that serves as the starting boundary can appear there.
How is 从…起 different from 自从?
从…起 marks a boundary; 自从 commonly links a past starting event to a continuing result.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三39】, 固定格式：从…起
Supports placement in HSK 3; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceA Reference Grammar of Chinese
Huang, Shi and Li · Cambridge University Press · 2022
Locator: Chapter 13, §§13.4–13.5, semantic classification and locative prepositional phrases
Supports 从 as a source-point preposition and the placement of boundary PPs before the main predicate.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
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