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HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

打 for “From” and “Since”

In casual speech, 打 can mean “from” or “since”, marking where or when something starts, as in 打明天起 and 你打哪儿来？

Pattern

打 + time/place (+ 起 / 开始 / 往… / 来)

As a preposition, 打 is a spoken 从: it marks the starting point in time or space.

打明天起，我每天早上跑步。

When to use 打 for “From” and “Since”

Besides “to hit” or “to play”, 打 can be a preposition meaning “from” or “since”. It marks a starting point, just like 从, but it sounds casual and is common in northern spoken Chinese.

我打小就喜欢画画。

I’ve loved drawing since I was little.

打那以后，他再也没迟到过。

From then on, he was never late again.

打上个月开始，学校食堂的早饭多了好几种。

Since last month, the school canteen has had several more breakfast choices.

打这儿往东走，十分钟就到了。

Go east from here and you’ll be there in ten minutes.

Common traps

  • 打 meaning “from” is casual; in formal writing use 从.
  • With time, complete the phrase: 打明天起 or 打明天开始, not just 打明天.
  • Use 往 for direction after the starting point: 打这儿往东走, not 打这儿在东走.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

你 哪儿来？

Where have you come from?
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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