开始

• Pinyin: kāi shǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = simplified from 開, meaning to open; 始 = 女 (woman) + 台 (platform, phonetic), meaning beginning or origin

Meaning

To begin; to start; beginning. The point at which something commences or the act of commencing.

One of the most common verbs in Chinese. Functions as both a verb (to begin) and a noun (the beginning). Can be followed by a verb phrase: 开始学习 (start studying). Common expressions include 从...开始 (starting from...) and 一开始 (at first, in the beginning).

Examples

1. 电影九点开始。 The movie starts at nine.
2. 一开始我不太习惯，后来就好了。 At first I wasn't used to it, but later it got better.
3. 我们开始上课吧。 Let's start class.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, time, activities

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 会议几点开始？(What time does the meeting start?)
• 我从今天开始学中文。(I start learning Chinese from today.)

Don't Say

• 我开始了三年学中文。(Don't insert a time duration between 开始 and the action — say 我开始学中文三年了 or 我三年前开始学中文.)

Origin & History

Compound of 开 (to open) and 始 (to begin, origin). Together: 'to open the beginning' — to commence something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal