开头

• Pinyin: kāi tóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = 一 + 廾, to open; 头 = pictograph of head, beginning/head

Meaning

Beginning; start; opening. The initial part of something.

Refers to the beginning section of a story, speech, document, or process. Can be a noun (the beginning) or verb (to begin). Common phrases: 文章开头 (beginning of an article), 从开头说起 (start from the beginning), 好的开头 (a good start). Opposite of 结尾 (ending).

Examples

1. 这篇文章的开头很吸引人，让人忍不住想继续读下去。 The opening of this article is very engaging, making you want to keep reading.
2. 万事开头难，只要坚持下去就会越来越顺利。 All things are difficult at the start, but if you persist, it will become smoother and smoother.
3. 他在演讲开头就讲了一个笑话，瞬间拉近了和观众的距离。 He told a joke at the beginning of his speech, instantly bridging the gap with the audience.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, conversation, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 从开头再说一遍。(Say it again from the beginning.)
• 开头很重要，要抓住读者的注意力。(The opening is important; you need to grab the reader's attention.)

Don't Say

• 混淆开头和开始 (开头 emphasizes the initial portion/section; 开始 emphasizes the action of starting)

Origin & History

Compound of 开 (to open, to start) + 头 (head, beginning). Literally 'opening head' — the beginning part.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal