から and まで

We saw that から meant 'because', but remember that particles can have different function. In this lesson, we will see から as a departure point, a particle meaning 'from'. 

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いえからあるきました。

Ie kara arukimashita.

I walked from home.

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It can be used in tandem with まで, which means 'to' or 'until'.

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いえからぎんこうまであるきました。

Ie kara ginkou made arukimashita.

I walked from home to the bank.

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きょうはがっこうまであるきました。

Kyou wa gakkou made arukimashita.

I walked to school today.

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しんかんせんでとうきょうからおおさかまで三時間かかります。

Shinkansen de Toukyou kara Oosaka made san jikan kakarimasu.

It takes 3 hours from Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen.

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These particles can be used with locations, as you saw from these examples, but they can also be used with time.

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日本には、三月から五月までさくらがみえます。

Nihon ni wa, sangatsu kara gogatsu made sakura ga miemasu.

In Japan, we can see the cherry blossom from March to May.

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二時から四時までべんきょうします。

Niji kara yoji made benkyou shimasu.

I will study from 2 to 4 o'clock.

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六月までサイナップできます。

Rokugatsu made sain appu dekimasu.

You can sign up until June.

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These particles in themselves are straightforward to use.