从 (cóng) & 到 (dào) - From & To

The logic here is very similar to English. You have a starting point and an ending point. In English, we say "From A to B." In Chinese, we say 从 A 到 B. It’s a direct translation! However, the position of the verb is the tricky part. In English, we might say "I walk from home to school." In Chinese, you usually establish the path first. You set the stage with your "from" and "to," then you perform the action. It’s like drawing a map before you start driving. It makes your sentences feel organized and clear.

1. 1Building this sentence is like building a delicious grammar sandwich.
2. 2Start with your subject (I, you, he, the bus).
3. 3Place the word 从 (cóng) to mark the start.
4. 4Insert your starting point (a Location or a Time).
5. 5Place the word 到 (dào) to mark the end.
6. 6Insert your ending point (a Location or a Time).
7. 7Finish with your verb or action at the end.
8. 8Example: 我 (Subject) + 从 + 北京 (Start) + 到 + 上海 (End) + 坐高铁 (Action). If you are just describing a range without an action, you can stop after the ending point. For example, "From Monday to Friday" is just 从周一到周五. Easy, right?

You will use this every single day in almost every context.

• Travel: "From the airport to the hotel." This is vital for not getting lost in a new city!
• Time: "From 9 AM to 5 PM." Use this to complain about your long work hours. We've all been there!
• Prices: "From 10 yuan to 20 yuan." Perfect for bargaining at a local market or ordering food.
• Life Stages: "From childhood to now." Great for deep late-night talks with friends over tea.
• Abstract Ranges: "From page 1 to page 100." Use this when your teacher gives too much homework.

Think of it as a flexible container. Whatever has a beginning and an end fits right in.

Don't get too excited and use it for every single "to" or "from" in English!

• Single Directions: If you are just going "to" a place, just use 去 (qù). You don't need 从 if there's no starting point mentioned.
• Giving things: If you are giving a gift "to" someone, use 给 (gěi). 到 is for destinations, not recipients. Giving a gift 到 someone sounds like you are shipping them as a package!
• Distance measurements: If you want to say "My house is far from school," use 离 (lí). 从...到... is about the journey, not just the gap.
• Since (without end): If you want to say "I've lived here since 2010," you usually just use 从 or 自从. Adding 到 implies you stopped living there!

Even the best of us trip up sometimes. Think of these as grammar traffic lights.

• The Missing 到: Sometimes learners say 从家去学校. While people might understand you, it feels unfinished. It's like wearing one shoe. Always pair them up if you have a destination!
• Verb Placement: Don't put the verb at the very beginning. Saying 走从家到学校 sounds very "English-brained." Keep the path first, then the verb.
• Mixing up 离 and 从: This is the classic mistake. Remember: 离 is a ruler (measuring distance). 从...到... is an arrow (showing direction).
• Time order: Always go from the past to the future. Don't say 从周五到周一 unless you mean a very long weekend that loops through time!

Let's look at 从...到... vs. 离 (lí).

Imagine two buildings on a street. If you are standing with a tape measure, you use 离. "Building A 离 Building B is 50 meters." This is static. It's just a measurement. If you are walking from one to the other, you use 从...到.... "I walk 从 Building A 到 Building B." This is dynamic. It's a movement. Also, compare it with 往 (wǎng). 往 means "towards." It’s a general direction. 从...到... is a specific route with a clear start and finish. It’s the difference between "heading North" and "going from New York to Canada."