Translation guide
The English preposition 'from' indicates a starting point in space, time, or origin. In Japanese, it is expressed with particles like から, より, and others depending on context. This guide covers the most common patterns for expressing 'from' naturally.
Indicate where or when something begins.
The most common way to say 'from' a place or time. Attach から directly to a noun.
東京から大阪まで新幹線で行きます。
I will go from Tokyo to Osaka by bullet train.
The meeting starts from 3 o'clock.
Formal or written equivalent of から, often used in announcements or formal writing.
本日より営業時間が変更になります。
From today, business hours will change.
Indicate where something comes from or its origin.
Used for physical origin, source of information, or material.
このワインはフランスから来ました。
This wine comes from France.
友達からその話を聞きました。
I heard that story from a friend.
Specifically for a person's origin (hometown, country, school).
彼は大阪出身です。
He is from Osaka.
Suffix meaning 'made in/from', used for products.
日本製の車
a car made in Japan (a car from Japan)
Indicate the beginning of a range, change, or transformation.
Used for a span from one point to another, often with time or area.
明日から明後日にかけて雨が降るでしょう。
It will rain from tomorrow to the day after tomorrow.
Clear start and end points for distance, time, or quantity.
ここから駅まで歩いて10分です。
It's a 10-minute walk from here to the station.
Emphasizes direction of change or movement.
価格が1000円から2000円へ上がった。
The price went up from 1000 yen to 2000 yen.
Indicate the cause or basis for something.
Expresses subjective reason or cause, often with personal judgment.
経験から言うと、それは難しい。
From my experience, that's difficult.
Indicates cause or means, often in formal contexts.
地震によって多くの建物が倒壊した。
Many buildings collapsed from the earthquake.
Casual way to express cause, often with illness or natural phenomena.
風邪で学校を休んだ。
I was absent from school due to a cold.
Indicate what something is made from.
Used when the material is not obvious or has undergone a chemical change.
ワインはぶどうからできています。
Wine is made from grapes.
Used when the material is still recognizable (e.g., wood, metal).
この机は木でできています。
This desk is made from wood.
Express 'from' in the sense of keeping away or separating.
To protect from something.
日焼け止めは肌を紫外線から守ります。
Sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays.
To keep something away from something else.
子供を危険から遠ざける。
Keep children away from danger.
Both mean 'from', but から is the default in everyday speech. より is more formal and often used in written announcements or set phrases like '心より' (from the heart).
心より感謝します。
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
In English, we say 'I'm from America', but in Japanese, you often use 出身 (しゅっしん) or simply state your country with です. Saying 'アメリカから来ました' is correct but can sound like you just arrived. Use 出身 for permanent origin.