zi6 cung4自從自从

Jyutpingzi6 cung4

Yalejih chùhng

介詞Very common

Definition

Since; from a specific point in the past up to the present.

neutraltime

How it's used

This word functions as a preposition to mark the starting point of a duration. It is almost always paired with 之後 to form a complete structure, creating a clear boundary between the past event and the subsequent state. While it can stand alone, adding 之後 makes the sentence flow more naturally in spoken Cantonese.

Examples

zi6自cung4從bun1搬zo2咗uk1屋zi1之hau6後，ngo5我dei6哋hou2好siu2少gin3見min6面。

Since moving house, we rarely see each other.

nei5你zi6自cung4從gei2幾si4時hoi1開ci2始hok6學taan4彈kam4琴㗎？

Since when did you start learning the piano?

Common phrases

zi6自cung4從...zi1之hau6後

ever since...

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use it like the English word since to mean because, but it only refers to time. Use 因為 instead if you need to express a causal relationship.