从 calligraphy

从

surname Cong; from; through; via; (bound form) to follow; (bound form) to obey; (bound form) to engage in (an activity); (used before a negative) ever; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. [zong4]) retainer; attendant; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. [zong4]) assistant; auxiliary; subordinate; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. [zong4]) related by common paternal grandfather or earlier ancestor

Closest English meanings

from·follow·obey·through·join

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The Calligrapher — Zhào Mèngfǔ 赵孟頫

Yuan master whose elegant regular and running script revived classical tradition.

Yuan calligrapher (1254–1322), master of regular script/running script/cursive script — Yuan reviver of classical elegance who could write any script beautifully and did. Yuan dynasty

Cultural Story

從 showed two men walking one behind the other, to follow, to comply, to join. The 論語, 從政, to enter service; 服從 the army's discipline. A 從前 was the time behind you on the road. The character is the second man falling in step, the act of going along, the obedience that is also companionship on the way.

Common words & phrases

  • 从来 always · ever · from the past · habitually
  • 从前 before · formerly · past · once
  • 从此 from now · henceforth · thereafter · thence
  • 服从 obey · submit · comply · yield
  • 从事 engage · undertake · work · pursue
  • 从政 go into politics · politician · serve · office

Read the story behind the character

In the modern world

从来 is the always of a flat denial, 我从来没说过. 从前 is the fairy-tale once upon a time; 从此 the from then on of a breakup. 服从 is the order and the dog; 从事 the career you took up; 从政 the relative who ran. The character names following and beginning, the step behind, the time behind, the road from here. It still means joining the line, whether of disciples, soldiers, or officials.

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