從
简 从 · 繁 從Meanings · cung4
- (preposition, conjunction, adverb) Since
Meanings · cung4
- from
- via
- passing through
- through (a gap)
- past
- ever (followed by negative, meaning never)
- (formerly pr. zòng and related to 纵) to follow
- to comply with
- to obey
- to join
- to engage in
- adopting some mode of action or attitude
- follower
- retainer
- accessory
- accomplice
- secondary
- subsidiary
Meanings · sung1
- leisurely
- lax
- plentiful
Meanings · cung1
- leisurely
- lax
- plentiful
Meanings · zung1
- same as 縱, indulge in
- give free reign to;
- same as蹤, footprints
- traces
- tracks
Meanings · zung3
- same as 縱, indulge in
- give free reign to;
- same as蹤, footprints
- traces
- tracks
Meanings · zung6
- related by common paternal grandfather or earlier ancestor
Meanings · zung6
- paternal cousins
- part of an official title for subordinates or lower rank officials in ancient times
About these definitions
Source definition segments, in their original order. Characters a definition cites are shown without their Mandarin pinyin; classifier lists that CC-Canto copied from CC-CEDICT are marked Mandarin. The community dictionary is not independently verified by zimai.
Reading & tones
Schematic citation-tone diagrams from the source numbers. These are not recordings or predictions of connected speech.
Same syllable, six tones
Characters whose customary Unihan reading (kCantonese) is this syllable in each tone, chosen as in the tone atlas (2013 standard level, then the number of CC-CEDICT words they form), with CC-Canto 2017's meaning for that reading; a dash means no catalogue character has that reading. Checked syllables (-p, -t, -k) normally carry tones 1, 3 and 6. Character readings, not word readings; no frequency implied.
Written characters
Both source spellings are represented. Written membership is not an etymological or semantic claim.
Mandarin comparison · separate source entries
CC-CEDICT, the Mandarin–English dictionary, lists the same written form:
- 從 Cóng CC-CEDICT · Mandarinsurname Cong
- 從 cóng CC-CEDICT · Mandarinfrom; 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. zòng) retainer; attendant; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. zòng) assistant; auxiliary; subordinate; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. zòng) related by common paternal grandfather or earlier ancestor
A separate source entry, shown for comparison. The same characters can carry different senses in Mandarin and in Cantonese; zimai does not align these senses.
CC-Canto includes this pinyin reference: cong2. It does not establish a Mandarin word with the same meaning.
Look up this spelling in the Mandarin dictionary ↗Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 17 senses · 6 Cantonese readings
Rime Cantonese 粵拼
cung1 · cung4 · sung1 · zung1 · zung3 · zung6
Cantonese word readings for 從. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack
Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
character · Etymology 1
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) to follow; to come after
- to comply with; to submit to
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) to follow the principle of
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) to join; to be engaged in
- from (a place or time); since
- through; via; by
- from; according to
- (followed by negative) never; ever
- 19th tetragram of the Taixuanjing; "following" (𝌘)
- a surname
character · Etymology 1
- (of relatives) paternal (with the same surname)
- auxiliary; subsidiary
- follower; attendant; entourage
character · Etymology 2
- only used in 從容／从容 (cóngróng, “calm; at ease”)
character · Etymology 3
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) alternative form of 縱 /纵 (“straight; vertical”)
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) alternative form of 縱 /纵 (“to give free rein to”)
character · Etymology 4
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) alternative form of 蹤 /踪 (zōng)
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack