The French phrase à partir de is used to indicate a starting point in time, space, or quantity. It is usually translated as “from” or “starting from.” It marks the moment, place, or amount from which something begins, and often implies continuation beyond that point.

Temporal meaning

When referring to time, à partir de means “from” or “as of.” It indicates the moment when something begins or becomes effective.

Examples:

• À partir de demain, je ferai du sport tous les jours.
  From tomorrow, I will exercise every day.
• Les soldes commencent à partir du 15 juin.
  The sales start from June 15.
• Le magasin sera fermé à partir de midi.
  The shop will be closed from noon.
• Ce tarif s’applique à partir du 1er janvier.
  This rate applies from January 1.
• À partir d’aujourd’hui, il faut porter un casque.
  From today, a helmet must be worn.

Spatial meaning

When referring to place, à partir de indicates the point of origin or departure.

Examples:

• À partir de Paris, il faut trois heures pour arriver à Lyon.
  From Paris, it takes three hours to reach Lyon.
• À partir du pont, vous verrez la cathédrale sur la gauche.
  From the bridge, you will see the cathedral on the left.
• Le fleuve devient navigable à partir de cette ville.
  The river becomes navigable from this town.

Quantitative meaning

In contexts involving price, measurement, or other quantities, à partir de means “starting from” or “at least.”

Examples:

• Les prix commencent à partir de 50 euros.
  Prices start from 50 euros.
• Un séjour d’une semaine à partir de 400 euros.
  A one-week stay from 400 euros.
• Poids minimal à partir de 10 kg.
  Minimum weight from 10 kg.

Related expressions

Several other French phrases can express a similar idea, depending on context.

1. Dès

Dès also means “from” or “as soon as,” but it stresses immediacy — the very beginning of something.

Examples:

• Dès lundi, je commence mon régime.
  From Monday, I am starting my diet.
• Dès son arrivée, il a demandé à te voir.
  As soon as he arrived, he asked to see you.
• Dès l’aube, ils se sont mis en route.
  From dawn, they set out.

À partir de often implies continuation, while dès highlights the starting instant.

2. Depuis

Depuis refers to an action or state that began in the past and continues into the present. It is not interchangeable with à partir de when describing a future starting point.

Examples:

• Je travaille ici depuis 2010.
  I have been working here since 2010.
• Elle est malade depuis hier.
  She has been sick since yesterday.

By contrast, à partir de demain refers to something that will start in the future.

3. De

Sometimes de alone can replace à partir de in short expressions, especially in pricing or scheduling.

Examples:

• Ouvert de 8 h à 18 h.
  Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• De Paris à Marseille, il y a environ 800 kilomètres.
  From Paris to Marseille, it is about 800 kilometres.

However, à partir de sounds more precise when emphasizing the beginning of a period or a minimum threshold.

4. Dès que

Dès que means “as soon as.” It introduces a subordinate clause referring to the moment something occurs.

Examples:

• Dès que tu arrives, téléphone-moi.
  As soon as you arrive, call me.
• Dès que le film commence, éteins ton téléphone.
  As soon as the film starts, turn off your phone.

Although related in meaning, dès que always introduces a clause, while à partir de introduces a noun or date.

Summary

• À partir de means “from” or “starting from,” and marks a starting point in time, space, or quantity.
• Dès emphasizes immediacy.
• Depuis indicates a continuing state that began in the past.
• De can replace à partir de in simple phrases of range or duration.
• Dès que introduces a clause meaning “as soon as.”