初次

• Pinyin: chū cì
• Hanzi breakdown: 初 = 衤 (clothes) + 刀 (knife) = beginning; 次 = 冫 (ice) + 欠 (owe) = time/occurrence

Meaning

For the first time; initial; first (occurrence).

An adverbial noun indicating that something is happening for the first time. More formal than 第一次, commonly used in written language and formal speech. Often precedes verbs.

Examples

1. 初次见面，请多关照。 Nice to meet you for the first time — please take care of me.
2. 她初次参加国际比赛就获得了金牌。 She won a gold medal in her first international competition.
3. 初次创业失败并不可怕。 Failing in your first business venture isn't scary.

Usage Guide

Context: introductions, firsts, formal occasions

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 初次合作，希望愉快。(This is our first collaboration — I hope it goes well.)
• 他初次登台表演非常紧张。(He was very nervous performing on stage for the first time.)

Don't Say

• 这是我初次吃这个 (In casual contexts, use 第一次 — 初次 sounds overly formal for eating)

Origin & History

Compound of 初 (beginning/initial) and 次 (time/occurrence). The first occurrence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal