HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#34

Expressing “Ever Since” with “zìcóng”

自从

zìcóng

How it works

自从 (zìcóng) means “ever since.” It introduces a time or event after which a situation has continued or changed.

Compared with 以来 (yǐlái), 自从 (zìcóng) is often more natural in everyday narrative and storytelling.

自从 (zìcóng) + Time / Event, Main Clause

自从换了工作以后，他整个人都轻松了很多。

Zìcóng huàn le gōngzuò yǐhòu, tā zhěng ge rén dōu qīngsōng le hěn duō.

Ever since he changed jobs, he has become much more relaxed as a whole.

自从孩子出生以后，她的生活节奏完全变了。

Zìcóng háizi chūshēng yǐhòu, tā de shēnghuó jiézòu wánquán biàn le.

Ever since the child was born, her pace of life has completely changed.

自从认识你以来，我学到了很多以前没注意过的东西。

Zìcóng rènshi nǐ yǐlái, wǒ xué dào le hěn duō yǐqián méi zhùyì guo de dōngxi.

Ever since I met you, I have learned many things I had never noticed before.

自从 (zìcóng) is very natural when introducing a starting point for change or continuation.