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HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 6 min read

Prepositions 自从, 朝 and 沿着

Say “ever since” a past event with 自从, “toward” someone or somewhere with 朝, and “along” a road or river with 沿着.

Pattern

自从 + past event (+ 以后 / 以来), clause; 朝 / 沿(着) + place or path + verb

自从 starts from a point in the past, 朝 points in a direction, and 沿着 follows a line.

自从搬到这里以后，我每天都骑车上班。

When to use Prepositions 自从, 朝 and 沿着

自从 means “since, ever since” and introduces a point in the past, usually an event: 自从搬家, 自从去年. It opens the sentence and is often closed with 以后 or 以来, then the main clause says what has been true from then on. 自从 only looks back from the past, so it is never used with a future time.

自从学了中文，我交了很多中国朋友。

Since I started learning Chinese, I’ve made lots of Chinese friends.

自从去年毕业以来，我们还没见过面。

We haven’t seen each other since we graduated last year.

自从有了手机，大家见面的时间少了。

Since everyone got phones, people spend less time meeting in person.

他朝我笑了笑。

He smiled at me.

Common traps

  • Say 从下个月开始, not 自从下个月开始: 自从 only looks back from a past time.
  • Say 他朝我点头, not 他往我点头: for gestures and looks aimed at a person, use 朝.
  • Say 开往北京, not 开朝北京: 往 can follow a verb, but 朝 can’t.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

我们 河边走

We walk along the riverbank
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