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
从 + Time 1 + 到 + Time 2
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