Chinese character 从

Usually “from,” marking a source or starting point.

In 从北京来 (“come from Beijing”), 从 introduces a place of origin; before a time expression, it can mark a starting point translated as “since.”

Compounds have their own meanings: 听从 means “follow” or “obey,” while 从事 means “engage in,” especially work or a profession. Translate the whole word instead of substituting “from” everywhere.

从 vs 從: which should I use?

Use 从 in simplified Chinese and 從 in traditional Chinese.

Match the form to the writing tradition of the sentence. In early oracle-bone inscriptions (writing carved on bones and shells) and bronze writing, the graph shows two people, one following the other. Some bronze forms add movement components, leading toward 從; those records also use 从 for the source sense, “from.”

Mainland China's simplification program adopted 从 as the simplified form of 從 in 1956, reusing the older compact graph. Japanese uses the related form 従 in words about following, obedience, employment, or subordinate status.

What if someone sends 从 alone?

Ask for the surrounding phrase before translating it. Alone, 从 does not show whether it marks a starting point or belongs to a word about following, obedience, or work. If the sender is asking you to identify the character, “from” is a useful first gloss, not a translation for every use.