zi6自

Jyutpingzi6

Yalejih

介詞Very common

Definition

From or since a certain point in time.

neutraltime

How it's used

While 自 is used in formal writing, it is often replaced by 由 in spoken Cantonese when referring to a starting point in time or space. Using 自 in casual conversation can sound slightly literary or stiff unless it is part of a set phrase. For everyday speech, prefer using 由 or 喺...開始 to sound more natural.

Examples

keoi5佢zi6自sai3細zau6就zyu6住hai2喺ni1呢dou6度。

He has lived here since he was a child.

nei5你zi6自gei2幾si4時hoi1開ci2始hok6學gwong2廣dung1東waa2話㗎？

Since when did you start learning Cantonese?

Related words

synonymjau4由yàuhsee alsohai2喺hái

Common phrases

zi6自sai3細

since childhood

zi6自gu2古ji5以loi4來

since ancient times

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 自 with 由. While they can both mean from, 由 is much more flexible in spoken Cantonese for indicating the origin of a movement or a time range, whereas 自 is more restricted to fixed expressions or formal contexts.