| Next revision | Previous revision |
| 开始 [2025/08/14 08:47] – created xiaoer | 开始 [2025/08/16 23:33] (current) – created xiaoer |
|---|
| ====== kāishǐ: 开始 - to start, to begin, beginning ====== | ====== kāishǐ: 开始 - To Start, To Begin, Beginning ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** kaishi, 开始, how to say start in Chinese, how to say begin in Chinese, Chinese verb for start, beginning in Chinese, kaishi meaning, HSK 1 Chinese, learn Chinese start | * **Keywords:** kaishi, 开始, how to say start in Chinese, begin in Chinese, Chinese verb for start, start Chinese, beginning Chinese, kaishi meaning, HSK 1 vocabulary, Chinese for beginners |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **开始 (kāishǐ)**, the direct equivalent of "to start" or "to begin." As a fundamental HSK 1 vocabulary item, 开始 is one of the first and most useful words for any beginner. This guide breaks down its meaning, characters, and practical usage in daily conversation, from starting a movie to beginning your Chinese learning journey. | * **Summary:** Learn how to use **开始 (kāishǐ)**, the essential and most common Chinese word for 'to start' or 'to begin'. This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, character breakdown, practical usage in daily life, and cultural context. With 10 practical example sentences, this page will help beginners master the difference between **开始 (kāishǐ)** and other similar terms, allowing you to accurately express the concept of a 'beginning' in Mandarin Chinese. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kāishǐ | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kāishǐ |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun | * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun |
| * **HSK Level:** 1 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To start, to begin; the beginning, the start. | * **Concise Definition:** To start an action or a process; the beginning or outset of something. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **开始 (kāishǐ)** is the all-purpose Chinese word for initiation. Whether you're starting a task, an event, a journey, or a period of time, 开始 is the word you need. It functions just like "start" or "begin" in English and is used constantly in both spoken and written Chinese. | * **In a Nutshell:** **开始 (kāishǐ)** is your go-to word for "start" and "begin" in Chinese. It's incredibly versatile and can be used for almost any situation, from starting a movie (verb) to talking about a new beginning in life (noun). It's a fundamental building block for learners and is used constantly in everyday conversation. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **开 (kāi):** The character 开 means "to open," "to start," or "to turn on." Picture it as opening a door (门) to a new space or activity. It's the action of setting something in motion. | * **开 (kāi):** This character's original form depicts two hands opening a gate or door (門). Its core meaning is "to open," which extends to concepts like "to start," "to turn on," or "to operate." |
| * **始 (shǐ):** The character 始 means "to begin" or "the start." It's composed of the radicals 女 (nǚ - woman) and 台 (tái - platform/stage). While its ancient origins are complex, you can simply remember it as the character for "beginning." | * **始 (shǐ):** This character means "beginning" or "origin." It is composed of the radical for "woman" (女) and a phonetic component (台). The "woman" radical hints at the concept of origin and birth, the ultimate beginning. |
| When combined, **开 (kāi - to open/start)** and **始 (shǐ - to begin)** create a reinforced and clear meaning: to "open the beginning," or simply, **to start**. | * When combined, **开始 (kāishǐ)** literally means "to open the beginning," a very direct and powerful way to express the concept of starting something. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| While **开始 (kāishǐ)** doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like `[[关系]] (guānxi)`, its importance lies in its role in marking transitions. Chinese culture, like many others, places a strong emphasis on auspicious beginnings. | * **开始 (kāishǐ)** itself is a direct, functional word, but it connects to a deep cultural appreciation for good beginnings. In Chinese culture, how you start something—a business, a year, a project—is believed to heavily influence its outcome. |
| A famous Chinese proverb states: **“好的开始是成功的一半” (hǎo de kāishǐ shì chénggōng de yībàn)**, which translates to "A good start is half the battle." This highlights the cultural value placed on proper preparation and initiating things correctly, whether it's the opening ceremony of an event or the first day of a new job. | * This is reflected in concepts like **开门红 (kāiménhóng)**, literally "open door red," which means achieving success right at the beginning of a new venture or the new year. Businesses often hold ceremonies on their first day of operation after the Lunar New Year to ensure a prosperous **开始 (kāishǐ)**. |
| In contrast to English, where "begin" can sometimes feel more formal than "start," **开始 (kāishǐ)** is a versatile workhorse, used comfortably in both very formal and highly informal situations without a significant change in connotation. It's the universal "go" signal in the Chinese language. | * **Comparison to English:** While "start" and "begin" are near-perfect translations, **开始 (kāishǐ)** is more broadly used than the formal English word "commence." You can use **开始 (kāishǐ)** in virtually any context, from a casual "Let's start eating" to a formal "The ceremony will now begin." In English, "commence" would sound overly formal in a casual setting, but a more formal Chinese equivalent like [[启动]] (qǐdòng) exists for specific contexts like launching a major project. |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| **开始 (kāishǐ)** is an incredibly common word you will hear and use daily. | * **As a Verb (to start an action):** This is the most common usage. It is often placed directly before another verb. |
| * **As a Verb (to start an action):** This is its most common use. It can be followed directly by another verb. For example, “我们开始吃饭吧 (wǒmen kāishǐ chīfàn ba)” - "Let's start eating." | * e.g., 我 **开始** 学习。(Wǒ **kāishǐ** xuéxí.) - I start to study. |
| * **As a Command:** In a classroom, race, or game, a teacher or official might simply shout “**开始!**” to mean "Begin!" or "Go!". | * **As a Noun (the beginning):** It can refer to the concept of a beginning or the initial phase of something. |
| * **As a Noun (the beginning):** It can refer to the starting point of a period or event. For example, “从一开始我就知道 (cóng yī kāishǐ wǒ jiù zhīdào)” - "I knew it from the very beginning." | * e.g., 这是一个新的 **开始**。(Zhè shì yīgè xīn de **kāishǐ**.) - This is a new beginning. |
| * **On Apps and Websites:** Buttons on Chinese digital interfaces often use **开始** to mean "Start" or "Launch." | * **In the `从...开始` (cóng...kāishǐ) structure:** This pattern means "starting from..." and is extremely common for specifying a starting point in time or sequence. |
| | * e.g., **从** 今天 **开始**，我要减肥。(Cóng jīntiān **kāishǐ**, wǒ yào jiǎnféi.) - Starting from today, I'm going on a diet. |
| | * **As a Command:** In races, games, or official events, **开始! (Kāishǐ!)** is used as the command to "Start!" or "Go!". |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 我们现在**开始**上课。 | * 电影九点**开始**。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen xiànzài **kāishǐ** shàngkè. | * Pinyin: Diànyǐng jiǔ diǎn **kāishǐ**. |
| * English: We will start class now. | * English: The movie starts at nine o'clock. |
| * Analysis: A very common sentence used by teachers. **开始** acts as a verb that initiates the action of "上课" (to have class). | * Analysis: A simple, common sentence structure stating the start time of an event. **开始 (kāishǐ)** functions as the main verb here. |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 电影什么时候**开始**？ | * 我们**开始**吃饭吧！ |
| * Pinyin: Diànyǐng shénme shíhou **kāishǐ**? | * Pinyin: Wǒmen **kāishǐ** chīfàn ba! |
| * English: When does the movie start? | * English: Let's start eating! |
| * Analysis: Here, **开始** functions as the main verb in a question about the timing of an event. | * Analysis: Here, **开始 (kāishǐ)** acts as an auxiliary verb before the main action `吃饭 (chīfàn)`. The particle `吧 (ba)` softens the sentence into a suggestion. |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 我去年**开始**学中文。 | * 你是什么时候**开始**学中文的？ |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ qùnián **kāishǐ** xué Zhōngwén. | * Pinyin: Nǐ shì shénme shíhòu **kāishǐ** xué Zhōngwén de? |
| * English: I started learning Chinese last year. | * English: When did you start learning Chinese? |
| * Analysis: This shows **开始** used to mark the beginning of a long-term action in the past. | * Analysis: This uses the `是...的 (shì...de)` structure to ask for details about a past action, in this case, the time when the "learning" started. |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 从今天**开始**，我要每天运动。 | * **从**下周一**开始**，这个商店每天都开门。 |
| * Pinyin: Cóng jīntiān **kāishǐ**, wǒ yào měitiān yùndòng. | * Pinyin: **Cóng** xià zhōuyī **kāishǐ**, zhège shāngdiàn měitiān dōu kāimén. |
| * English: Starting from today, I will exercise every day. | * English: Starting from next Monday, this store will be open every day. |
| * Analysis: The structure "从...开始" (cóng...kāishǐ) is extremely useful. It means "starting from..." and sets a clear starting point. | * Analysis: This demonstrates the crucial `从...开始 (cóng...kāishǐ)` pattern, setting a clear starting point for a new routine. |
| * **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 在故事的**开始**，主角还是个孩子。 | * 对于他来说，这是一个全新的**开始**。 |
| * Pinyin: Zài gùshì de **kāishǐ**, zhǔjué háishì ge háizi. | * Pinyin: Duìyú tā lái shuō, zhè shì yīgè quánxīn de **kāishǐ**. |
| * English: In the beginning of the story, the main character was still a child. | * English: For him, this is a brand new beginning. |
| * Analysis: This demonstrates **开始** used as a noun, meaning "the beginning." | * Analysis: In this sentence, **开始 (kāishǐ)** is used as a noun, modified by the adjective `全新的 (quánxīn de)`, meaning "brand new." |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 雨**开始**下了。 | * **开始**的时候，我不太习惯这里的天气。 |
| * Pinyin: Yǔ **kāishǐ** xià le. | * Pinyin: **Kāishǐ** de shíhòu, wǒ bù tài xíguàn zhèlǐ de tiānqì. |
| * English: The rain has started to fall. | * English: In the beginning, I wasn't very used to the weather here. |
| * Analysis: A simple description of a natural event beginning. The particle "了 (le)" can be added to show a completed action or change of state. | * Analysis: The phrase `开始的时候 (kāishǐ de shíhòu)` is a set expression meaning "at the beginning" or "initially." |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 准备好了吗？三，二，一，**开始**！ | * 老师说：“请大家**从**第一课**开始**复习。” |
| * Pinyin: Zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma? Sān, èr, yī, **kāishǐ**! | * Pinyin: Lǎoshī shuō: “Qǐng dàjiā **cóng** dì yī kè **kāishǐ** fùxí.” |
| * English: Are you ready? Three, two, one, go! | * English: The teacher said: "Everyone, please start reviewing from Lesson One." |
| * Analysis: This is how **开始** is used as a direct command, just like "Go!" in English for races or games. | * Analysis: Another example of `从...开始 (cóng...kāishǐ)` being used for sequence, not just time. It indicates the starting point of an activity. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 他大学毕业后**开始**创业。 | * 雨**开始**下大了。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā dàxué bìyè hòu **kāishǐ** chuàngyè. | * Pinyin: Yǔ **kāishǐ** xià dà le. |
| * English: He started his own business after graduating from college. | * English: The rain started to get heavier. |
| * Analysis: **开始** is used here to describe a major life transition and the start of a significant endeavor. | * Analysis: This shows **开始 (kāishǐ)** used to describe the beginning of a change in state. `下大 (xià dà)` means "to fall heavily." |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 会议还没**开始**呢。 | * 我们还没**开始**呢，请等一下。 |
| * Pinyin: Huìyì hái méi **kāishǐ** ne. | * Pinyin: Wǒmen hái méi **kāishǐ** ne, qǐng děng yīxià. |
| * English: The meeting hasn't started yet. | * English: We haven't started yet, please wait a moment. |
| * Analysis: This shows the negative form, "还没开始" (hái méi kāishǐ), meaning "hasn't started yet." | * Analysis: This shows the negative form, `还没开始 (hái méi kāishǐ)`, which means "have not yet started." The `呢 (ne)` adds a sense of continuation or emphasis. |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| * 一切都得从头**开始**。 | * 预备，**开始**！ |
| * Pinyin: Yīqiè dōu děi cóngtóu **kāishǐ**. | * Pinyin: Yùbèi, **kāishǐ**! |
| * English: Everything has to start over from the beginning. | * English: Ready, set, go! (Literally: Prepare, start!) |
| * Analysis: "从头开始" (cóngtóu kāishǐ) is a common phrase meaning "to start from scratch" or "to start from the top." | * Analysis: A classic command used in races and competitions. Here, **开始 (kāishǐ)** stands alone as an imperative. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **Mistake: Using 开始 for a journey.** | * **`开始 (kāishǐ)` vs. `刚 (gāng)`:** This is a very common point of confusion for beginners. |
| * **Incorrect:** 我们明天早上八点开始去北京。(Wǒmen míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn kāishǐ qù Běijīng.) | * **开始 (kāishǐ)** means "to start" an action. It refers to the beginning of the action. |
| * **Reason:** For starting a trip or journey (departing), you should use the more specific verb **出发 (chūfā)**. | * **刚 (gāng)** is an adverb meaning an action "just happened" or was completed very recently. |
| * **Correct:** 我们明天早上八点**出发**去北京。(Wǒmen míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn **chūfā** qù Běijīng.) - We will set out for Beijing at 8 AM tomorrow. | * **Incorrect:** 我刚开始吃饭。(Wǒ gāng kāishǐ chīfàn.) This means "I just started to eat." Learners often mistakenly use it to mean "I just ate." |
| * **Mistake: Using 开始 for starting a machine.** | * **Correct (I just ate):** 我**刚**吃饭。(Wǒ **gāng** chīfàn.) |
| * **Okay, but less specific:** 他开始了电脑。(Tā kāishǐ le diànnǎo.) | * **Correct (Let's start the action of eating):** 我们**开始**吃饭吧。(Wǒmen **kāishǐ** chīfàn ba.) |
| * **Reason:** While understandable, for starting machines, engines, or computer programs, the words **开 (kāi)** by itself (meaning "turn on") or the more formal **启动 (qǐdòng)** are often better. | * **Using `开始` as a Noun:** Remember that when you use **开始** as a noun ("a beginning"), you often need a measure word like `个 (gè)` before it. |
| * **More Natural:** 他**开**了电脑。(Tā **kāi** le diànnǎo.) - He turned on the computer. | * **Incorrect:** 这是一个新开始。(Zhè shì yīgè xīn kāishǐ.) |
| * **More Formal/Technical:** 他**启动**了程序。(Tā **qǐdòng** le chéngxù.) - He launched the program. | * **Correct:** 这是一个新**的**开始。(Zhè shì yīgè xīn de kāishǐ.) or 这是一个新**的开端** (kāiduān). Using **开始 (kāishǐ)** with a measure word is common, e.g. `一个好的开始 (yīgè hǎo de kāishǐ)` - a good start. |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * [[结束]] (jiéshù) - The direct antonym of 开始; means "to end," "to finish," "to conclude." | * `[[结束]] (jiéshù)` - The direct antonym of **开始 (kāishǐ)**. It means "to end," "to finish," or "conclusion." |
| * [[出发]] (chūfā) - A more specific verb for "to set out" or "to depart," used exclusively for journeys and trips. | * `[[开头]] (kāitóu)` - A noun that is a very close synonym for **开始 (kāishǐ)** as a noun. It means "the beginning" or "the start," often used for the beginning of a text, story, or speech. |
| * [[开头]] (kāitóu) - A noun that is very similar to 开始 (as a noun). It often refers to the beginning of a piece of writing, a speech, or a period. | * `[[启动]] (qǐdòng)` - A more formal and technical verb for "to start." It's used for launching projects, starting engines, or activating systems. Think "launch" or "initiate." |
| * [[启动]] (qǐdòng) - A more formal or technical verb meaning "to launch," "to initiate," or "to start up." Used for projects, campaigns, engines, and software. | * `[[着手]] (zhuóshǒu)` - A verb meaning "to put one's hand to" or "to set about." It emphasizes beginning the actual, hands-on work of a task. |
| * [[开动]] (kāidòng) - To start up, or put in motion. Often used for vehicles or machinery. (e.g., 火车开动了 - The train started moving). | * `[[从...起]] (cóng...qǐ)` - A slightly more formal or written synonym for the `从...开始` structure. It also means "starting from..." |
| * [[着手]] (zhuóshǒu) - A more formal verb meaning "to put one's hand to," "to set about," or "to start work on" a task or project. | * `[[刚]] (gāng)` - An adverb meaning "just now." Crucially different from **开始 (kāishǐ)** as it describes a recently completed action, not the start of one. |
| * [[开端]] (kāiduān) - A formal noun for "beginning" or "inception," often used in literary or historical contexts. | * `[[当初]] (dāngchū)` - A noun referring to a time in the past: "in the beginning," "at first," "originally." Used to reflect on a past starting point. |