开始
kāishǐ
To start in Chinese is 开始 (kāishǐ).
开始 is primarily used as a verb meaning to begin or to start an action. It can also function as a noun meaning 'the beginning' of an activity. If you wish to express the specific concept of 'starting from' a certain time or place, you should use the structure 从 [time/place] 开始. To describe the beginning or the moment of starting, you can add 时 to the end of the word to form 开始时, which means 'at the beginning' or 'when starting'.
Meaning: to begin (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 开始 is the most common way to say 'start' or 'begin', it is used most frequently as a verb. When you specifically mean the 'beginning point' of a race, use 起点.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that a start has already occurred or that an action has already begun, add the aspect particle 了 after the verb to form 开始了, meaning 'has started'.
How do you pronounce it?
kāishǐ
Did you know?
- The character 开 originally depicted two hands pulling open a bolt or a door. This is why the word for 'start' shares the same character as the word for 'open' a window or a box.
- In ancient Chinese, the character 始 was sometimes used to refer to the very first ancestor or the origin of a family lineage.
- While 开始 is a common verb, the word 出发 (chūfā) is much more common when the 'start' involves people actually setting off on a journey or a trip.
Examples in context
- 我们开始吧。Let's start.This sentence is useful for suggesting that a group starts an action.Tatoeba #7767999 by jiangche, translation #2007928 by CK
- 比赛几点开始？What time will the game start?This sentence is useful for asking about the scheduled start time of an event.Tatoeba #2605636 by GlossaMatik, translation #24575 by CK
- 我们立刻开始吧。Let's start right away.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that an action should begin immediately.Tatoeba #1878268 by sadhen, translation #52156 by CK
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are sitting in a cafe ready to study.
- 伟 Wei我们什么时候开始学习？Wǒmen shénme shíhou kāishǐ xuéxí?When shall we start studying?
- 雨婷 Yuting现在就可以开始。Xiànzài jiù kěyǐ kāishǐ.We can start right now.
- 伟 Wei好，那我们开始吧。Hǎo, nà wǒmen kāishǐ ba.Okay, let's start then.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，我准备好了。Hǎo de, wǒ zhǔnbèi hǎo le.Alright, I am ready.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
