From... to... with 从…到

Use this pair to mark a starting point and ending point in space, time, or a range.

beginnerA1 · TOCFL a1preposition coverbsentence pattern

从…到

Pattern

从 + start + 到 + end

Key words

Core idea

marks the starting point, and marks the endpoint. Together they can describe movement, time spans, or ranges.

The start comes after . The end comes after .

Usage boundary

For beginner sentences, keep the pair close and clear. Use it for concrete places first, then extend it to times and ranges.

When only the destination matters, by itself may be enough.

Examples

我从家走到学校。

Wǒ cóng jiā zǒu dào xuéxiào.

I walk from home to school.

课从九点到十点。

Kè cóng jiǔ diǎn dào shí diǎn.

Class is from nine to ten.

从这里到车站不远。

Cóng zhèlǐ dào chēzhàn bù yuǎn.

From here to the station is not far.

Common mistakes

Avoid

我到学校从家走。

Use

我从家走到学校。

从 introduces the starting point, and 到 introduces the endpoint.