从⋯⋯ 到⋯⋯(cóng... dào...) is used in the same way as "from...
to..." is used in English, and can be used both for times and
places.
Used for Times
To express from one time to another, the following structure is
used:
Structure
The "time" here does not necessarily have to be a standard time
word; it can be any event or action.
Examples
- 从 2004 年 到 2008 年cóng èr-líng-líng-sì nián dào
èr-líng-líng-bā niánfrom 2004 to
2008
- 从 一号 到 五号 都 在 下雨。Cóng yī hào dào wǔ hào dōu zài
xiàyǔ.From the first to the fifth, it's
been raining non-stop.
- 老板 从 周二 到 周五 都 要 出差。Lǎobǎn cóng Zhōuèr dào Zhōuwǔ dōu yào
chūchāi.From Tuesday until Friday the
boss will go on a business trip.
- 她 从 18岁 到 现在 都 一个人 住。Tā
cóng shíbā suì dào xiànzài dōu yīgèrén
zhù.She's lived alone since she was 18
until now.
- 你 不 能 从 早 到 晚 不 吃 东西。Nǐ
bù néng cóng zǎo dào wǎn bù chī
dōngxi.You can't eat nothing from
morning to night.
Remember that there are two options for the word order of time
words.
Used for Places
The same structure can also be used to express "from" one place
"to" another.
Structure
从 + Place 1 + 到 + Place 2
Examples
- 从 南京 西 路 到 南京 东 路cóng Nánjīng Xī Lù dào Nánjīng Dōng
Lùfrom West Nanjing Road to East Nanjing
Road
- 从 酒店 到 机场 不太 远。Cóng jiǔdiàn dào jīchǎng bù tài
yuǎn.From the hotel to the airport is
not too far.
- 从 上海 到 北京 要 几 个 小时。Cóng Shànghǎi dào Běijīng yào jǐ gè
xiǎoshí.From Shanghai to Beijing it
takes a few hours.
- 从 你 家 到 机场 可以 坐 地铁 吗?Cóng nǐ jiā dào jīchǎng kěyǐ zuò dìtiě
ma? From your place to the airport, can
I take the subway?
- 从 这里 到 我们 公司,你 会 看见 很 多 美女。Cóng zhèlǐ dào wǒmen gōngsī, nǐ huì
kànjiàn hěn duō měinǚ.From here to our
company, you'll see many beautiful girls.
See Also
Sources and further
reading
Books
Category:A2 grammar points