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Expressing 'from childhood' as a trait with 从小 (cóngxiǎo)
Structure
Subject + 从小 + Verb Phrase
Explanation
The adverb 从小 (cóngxiǎo) means 'from childhood' or 'since one was young.' It modifies the verb that follows to indicate an action, habit, or characteristic that has been present since early youth. It is placed directly before the verb phrase.
Examples
她从小就特别懂事，从不让父母操心。
Tā cóng xiǎo jiù tèbié dǒngshì, cóng bù ràng fùmǔ cāoxīn.
She has been very sensible since she was little and never made her parents worry.
他从小跟着爷爷学下棋，棋艺很高。
tā cóng xiǎo gēn zhe yéye xué xià qí, qíyì hěn gāo.
He learned to play chess from his grandfather since he was little, and his chess skills are very good.
我从小就怕黑，到现在还是不敢一个人睡。
wǒ cóng xiǎo jiù pà hēi, dào xiànzài háishì bù gǎn yí ge rén shuì.
I've been afraid of the dark since I was little, and even now I still don't dare to sleep alone.