开始
kāishǐ
The English phrase 'begin' is translated into Chinese as 开始 (kāishǐ).
开始 is a neutral term used to describe the commencement of an event or a process.
Meaning: to start, begin (intransitive) (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of 开 (kāi), meaning 'to open' and 始 (shǐ), meaning 'beginning'.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English word 'start', which can sometimes imply a sudden movement, 开始 is a neutral term for the commencement of an event or process.
How does it change in a sentence?
开始 can function as both an intransitive verb (to begin) and a transitive verb (to start something).
How do you pronounce it?
kāishǐ
Did you know?
- While 开始 is the standard way to say 'begin', if you want to say a machine or an engine has 'started', you would use 启动 (qǐdòng) instead.
- While 开始 is the general word for 'begin', the word 开 (kāi) is used alone to signal the start of a race or a game, acting like the English 'go' or 'start'.
- In formal Chinese, you may encounter the term 肇始 (zhàoshǐ) for 'the beginning'. This is reserved for monumental events, such as the founding of a dynasty or a civilization.
Examples in context
- 游戏几点开始？When does the game begin?This sentence is useful for asking about the start time of a game using 开始.Tatoeba #2109227 by sadhen, translation #2166230 by faraway9911
- 课程下周开始。Classes begin next week.This sentence is useful for stating when classes 开始.Tatoeba #2694357 by sadhen, translation #881014 by CK
- 聚会要开始了。The party is about to begin.This sentence is useful for saying a party is about to 开始.Tatoeba #13744214 by fup6m3vj0, translation #9696328 by CK
- 他们开始讨论新项目They begin discussing the new project.
- 请启动计划Please initiate the plan.
- 我们将发起一项新的倡议We will initiate a new initiative.
- 我们可以开始吃晚饭了We can start eating dinner now.
- 让我们开始运动吧Let's start exercising.
- 请开始演示Please begin the presentation.
- 我们将从明天开始实施计划We will start implementing the plan from tomorrow.
- 他们每天早上都会开始晨跑They start morning jogging every day.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a coffee shop, two friends discuss a new hobby.
- 伟 Wei你什么时候开始学钢琴？Nǐ shénme shíhou kāishǐ xué gāngqín?When did you begin learning the piano?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我上个月才开始。Wǒ shàng ge yuè cái kāishǐ.I only began last month.
- 伟 Wei太棒了，加油！Tài bàng le, jiāyóu!That's great, keep it up!
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢，我会努力的。Xièxiè, wǒ huì nǔlì de.Thanks, I will work hard.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
