Expressing "ever since" with "zicong" (Redirected from ASGLI7GW) Level B2 Similar to Comparing "li" and "cong" (B1) Expressing "before" and "after" with "zhiqian" and "zhihou" (B1) Expressing "ever since" with "yilai" (B1) Used for Sequencing events in time, Referring to the past Keywords 自从, 从, 起, 以后 Translations since 自从 means "ever since" in English, and is used to express the starting point of an action in the past. It can be followed by phrases using the markers 起 and 以后. Contents 1 Structure 2 Examples 3 See also 4 Sources and further reading 4.1 Books Structure 自从 + [Starting Point] Examples 自从 来 到 湖南，我 越 来 越 能 吃 辣 了。 Ever since arriving in Hunan, I've been more and more able to eat spicy food. 自从 金融 危机 爆发，就业 市场 变 得 越 来 越 不 景气 了。 Ever since the economic crisis, the job market has been growing less and less. 自从 他 跟 我 分手 后，他 就 没有 联系 过 我。 Ever since he broke up with me, he hasn't contacted me. In the above examples, 从 can be used interchangeably with 自从. The main difference is that 从 can also be used to state starting points in the future, a little like "from" in English. 自从 cannot be used in this way. 从 明天 开始，我 要 认真 看 书。 Starting from tomorrow, I'm going to study seriously. 自从 明天 开始，我 要 认真 看 书。 Note that 从 can be used to denote starting points in place and time, whereas 自从 can only be used to express starting points in time. See also Expressing "ever since" with "yilai" Before and after with "zhiqian" and "zhihou" Sources and further reading Books Boya Chinese Lower Intermediate 1 (博雅汉语准中级加速篇) (pp. 218) [ →buy]