无从 + 动词
to have no way to …; to have nowhere to start
Structure
无从 动词 （得知／说起／下手）
What it means
There is no way in or nothing to go on, so the action cannot happen: “have no way to…, nowhere to start”.
How it is built
(Subject) + 无从 + verb, often two syllables: 要说的话太多了，我一时无从说起 (so much to say I don’t know where to begin). Common: 无从得知, 无从下手, 无从查起.
When to use it
Written and formal; in speech say 没办法知道 or 不知道从哪儿说起. 无法 (unable) is broader; 无从 stresses the missing starting point or information.
Watch out
When you simply can’t do something, say 无法: 我明天有事，无法参加, not 无从参加. Keep 无从 for a missing lead or place to begin.
Examples
真迹是否还在地下，今天已经无从得知。
Whether the original is still underground there is now no way of knowing.
要说的话太多了，我一时无从说起。
There’s so much to say that for a moment I don’t know where to begin.
资料全都遗失了，研究人员无从下手。
All the records have been lost, so the researchers have nothing to start from.
Learn this in Lesson 91 · HSK 6–7: 兰亭序与书法 (The Orchid Pavilion and the art of calligraphy)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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