从
cóng
from
At a glance · 从

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

从 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 从 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 从 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 从 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 从 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 从 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

「从」甲骨文从二人相从,象一人随一人,金文小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

从 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「从」本义为随行、跟从,引申顺从、从事、自。

Structure

从二人,会意字,象前後相从,本为跟从。简作从。

At a glance

Pinyincóng
Radical人
Strokes4
UnicodeU+4ECE
Character type会意
Theme人伦

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English from from, by, since, whence, through
Français suivre / s'engager Suivre, s'engager dans. «摄职从政» : s'occuper des affaires.
Español seguir / dedicarse Seguir, dedicarse a. «摄职从政»: ocuparse de los asuntos.
العربية يتبع / يمارس يتبع، يمارس. «摄职从政»: الاشتغال بالشؤون.
Русский следовать / заниматься Следовать, заниматься. «摄职从政»: ведать делами.

Common words

  • 从来cóng láialways
  • 从事cóng shìengage in