Meaning of 从而
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- thus; thereby
How to use 从而
从而 is a formal connector used in writing and speeches. It joins a first action to the result or goal that follows from it, and it usually starts the second clause. Example: 他每天练习，从而提高了口语。(Tā měitiān liànxí, cóng'ér tígāo le kǒuyǔ.) He practiced every day, thereby improving his speaking.
从 (cóng) means "from" and 而 (ér) links ideas, so 从而 is "from this, and so." Picture taking one step and arriving at the result.
Common mistake: Learners often use 从而 like 所以 (suǒyǐ) in casual speech or put it before a new subject, as in 从而我很高兴. 从而 should share the subject of the first clause and lead into a result, so keep it formal and drop the new subject.
从而 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
从 cóng · from · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
而 ér · and · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 从而.
| 而且 | érqiě | (not only ...) but also; moreover; in addition; furthermore |
| 从小 | cóngxiǎo | from childhood; from a young age |
| 从来 | cónglái | always; at all times |
| 自从 | zìcóng | since (a time); ever since |
| 从前 | cóngqián | previously; formerly |
| 从事 | cóngshì | to go for; to engage in |
| 而是 | ér shì | rather |
| 然而 | rán'ér | however; but; yet |
| 反而 | fǎn'ér | on the contrary; instead |
| 从此 | cóngcǐ | from now on; since then |
| 服从 | fúcóng | to obey (an order); to comply |
| 从中 | cóngzhōng | from among them; from it |
Questions about 从而
What does 从而 mean?
从而 (cóng'ér) means "thus; thereby" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 从而?
从而 is made of 2 characters: 从 (4 strokes), 而 (6 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 从而 an HSK word?
Yes. 从而 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 从而 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 从而 is written 從而.
What is the difference between 从而 and 因此?
因此 (yīncǐ) marks a general cause and effect and can start a new sentence with its own subject. 从而 links an action to a result achieved through it, and the second clause usually keeps the same subject.
Can 从而 start a sentence?
It normally comes after a comma at the start of the second clause, not at the very beginning of a paragraph. The first clause must state the method or action that leads to the result.