来自 lái zì
“to come from (a place); From: (in email header)”
verbHSK 5 · 2021 list level 2Traditional 來自
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
来自 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 743: 来自 láizì — Level 3; official annotation 3 (动). PDF page 98
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 来自
来自 (láizì) is a verb meaning 'come from', used for a person's origin or the source of something. The pattern is Subject + 来自 + place/source. Do not add 从 before it, because 来自 already includes the meaning 'from'. In email headers it can also mean 'From:'.
例句Example sentences
- 我来自北京。wǒ lái zì běi jīng.I come from Beijing.
- 这个汉字来自古代汉语。zhè ge hàn zì lái zì gǔ dài hàn yǔ.This Chinese character comes from ancient Chinese.
- 这封信来自一个老朋友。zhè fēng xìn lái zì yí gè lǎo péng you.This letter is from an old friend.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我来自从北京。
✓我来自北京。
来自 already means 'come from'; adding 从 is redundant and ungrammatical here.
易混词Easily confused
来自vs从
从 is a preposition meaning 'from' and needs another verb; 来自 is itself the verb meaning 'come from'.