从/從 (cóng) is a preposition meaning from or since, indicating the starting point of a movement, time period, or action. It pairs with 到 (dào, to) to express from...to... in space (从北京到上海) or time (从早到晚, from morning to evening). In the adverb compound 从来 (cóng lái) paired with negation, it means never (从来不, never; 从来没有, have never). It can also mean to follow or comply with in formal contexts (听从, to obey).