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开始
kāishǐ
to begin
我们明天开始工作。
We will begin work tomorrow.
neutral
To start doing something; to initiate an action or process.
他开始学习中文了。
He has started learning Chinese.
会议十点开始。
The meeting starts at ten.
Used for both actions and events. Can be followed by a verb or a noun phrase.
neutral
The point in time or space when something begins.
从开始到结束，我们都很努力。
From start to finish, we worked very hard.
Often used as a noun in phrases like '从开始到结束' (from start to finish).
Pro Tip
Usage with Time
When indicating when something starts, use '开始' with a time expression: '会议十点开始' (The meeting starts at ten).
Gold Rule
Followed by Verbs
开始 is often followed by another verb to indicate the action that is starting. For example: '开始工作' (to start working), '开始学习' (to start studying).
Word Origin
Composed of '开' (kāi, 'to open') and '始' (shǐ, 'beginning'). Together, they form a compound meaning 'to initiate' or 'to start'. The word has been used in Classical Chinese and remains in modern Mandarin.
Usage Notes
开始 is a versatile verb that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly followed by another verb (e.g., '开始学习' = 'to start learning') or a noun phrase (e.g., '开始工作' = 'to start work').
Word Breakdown
开
to open; to start
root始
beginning; start
root汉英词典