从此 (cóngcǐ) — from this time on; henceforth; since then

从此 (cóngcǐ)

从此 is an adverb marking a turning point in time, meaning "from this point on" or "since then," used to introduce what has been true or what will be true from a specific moment forward.

Meanings

1. [adverb] from this time on; henceforth; since then (marks a moment as a new starting point, after which things continue in a new direction)

Usage Note

从此 refers to a specific moment that serves as a dividing line. Everything described after 从此 is a lasting consequence or ongoing state that began at that moment. It often appears in narratives, fairy tales, and personal turning-point stories.

Compare with 从那以后 (cóng nà yǐhòu, "from then on"), which is more colloquial and interchangeable. 从此 sounds slightly more literary and final, like a narrator closing a chapter.

Example Sentences

他们结婚了，从此过上了幸福的生活。 Tāmen jiéhūn le, cóngcǐ guò shàng le xìngfú de shēnghuó. They got married and from then on lived a happy life.

那次事故改变了他的人生，从此他更加珍惜每一天。 Nà cì shìgù gǎibiàn le tā de rénshēng, cóngcǐ tā gèngjiā zhēnxī měi yī tiān. That accident changed his life; since then, he has cherished every day even more.

她离开家乡以后，从此再也没有回来。 Tā líkāi jiāxiāng yǐhòu, cóngcǐ zài yě méiyǒu huí lái. After she left her hometown, she never came back again.

我们握手和解，从此成为了好朋友。 Wǒmen wòshǒu héjiě, cóngcǐ chéngwéile hǎo péngyou. We shook hands and made peace; from that point on we became good friends.

Collocations

Memory Hook

从 means "from" and 此 means "this / here." 从此 literally means "from this (point)." Picture drawing a line on a timeline with your finger: everything to the right of that line is 从此.