kāishǐ: 开始 - to start, to begin, beginning

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• 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.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kāishǐ
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: 1
• Concise Definition: To start, to begin; the beginning, the start.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.”

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.

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. 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. 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.

开始 (kāishǐ) is an incredibly common word you will hear and use daily.

• 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.”
• 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 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.”
• On Apps and Websites: Buttons on Chinese digital interfaces often use 开始 to mean “Start” or “Launch.”

• Example 1:
• 我们现在开始上课。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen xiànzài kāishǐ shàngkè.
• English: We will start class now.
• Analysis: A very common sentence used by teachers. 开始 acts as a verb that initiates the action of “上课” (to have class).
• Example 2:
• 电影什么时候开始？
• Pinyin: Diànyǐng shénme shíhou kāishǐ?
• English: When does the movie start?
• Analysis: Here, 开始 functions as the main verb in a question about the timing of an event.
• Example 3:
• 我去年开始学中文。
• Pinyin: Wǒ qùnián kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén.
• English: I started learning Chinese last year.
• Analysis: This shows 开始 used to mark the beginning of a long-term action in the past.
• Example 4:
• 从今天开始，我要每天运动。
• Pinyin: Cóng jīntiān kāishǐ, wǒ yào měitiān yùndòng.
• English: Starting from today, I will exercise every day.
• Analysis: The structure “从…开始” (cóng…kāishǐ) is extremely useful. It means “starting from…” and sets a clear starting point.
• Example 5:
• 在故事的开始，主角还是个孩子。
• Pinyin: Zài gùshì de kāishǐ, zhǔjué háishì ge háizi.
• English: In the beginning of the story, the main character was still a child.
• Analysis: This demonstrates 开始 used as a noun, meaning “the beginning.”
• Example 6:
• 雨开始下了。
• Pinyin: Yǔ kāishǐ xià le.
• English: The rain has started to fall.
• 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.
• Example 7:
• 准备好了吗？三，二，一，开始！
• Pinyin: Zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma? Sān, èr, yī, kāishǐ!
• English: Are you ready? Three, two, one, go!
• Analysis: This is how 开始 is used as a direct command, just like “Go!” in English for races or games.
• Example 8:
• 他大学毕业后开始创业。
• Pinyin: Tā dàxué bìyè hòu kāishǐ chuàngyè.
• English: He started his own business after graduating from college.
• Analysis: 开始 is used here to describe a major life transition and the start of a significant endeavor.
• Example 9:
• 会议还没开始呢。
• Pinyin: Huìyì hái méi kāishǐ ne.
• English: The meeting hasn't started yet.
• Analysis: This shows the negative form, “还没开始” (hái méi kāishǐ), meaning “hasn't started yet.”
• Example 10:
• 一切都得从头开始。
• Pinyin: Yīqiè dōu děi cóngtóu kāishǐ.
• English: Everything has to start over from the beginning.
• Analysis: “从头开始” (cóngtóu kāishǐ) is a common phrase meaning “to start from scratch” or “to start from the top.”

• Mistake: Using 开始 for a journey.
  • Incorrect: 我们明天早上八点开始去北京。(Wǒmen míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn kāishǐ qù Běijīng.)
  • Reason: For starting a trip or journey (departing), you should use the more specific verb 出发 (chūfā).
  • 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.
• Mistake: Using 开始 for starting a machine.
  • Okay, but less specific: 他开始了电脑。(Tā kāishǐ le diànnǎo.)
  • 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.
  • More Natural: 他开了电脑。(Tā kāi le diànnǎo.) - He turned on the computer.
  • More Formal/Technical: 他启动了程序。(Tā qǐdòng le chéngxù.) - He launched the program.

• 结束 (jiéshù) - The direct antonym of 开始; means “to end,” “to finish,” “to conclude.”
• 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 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 or technical verb meaning “to launch,” “to initiate,” or “to start up.” Used for projects, campaigns, engines, and software.
• 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).
• 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.
• 开端 (kāiduān) - A formal noun for “beginning” or “inception,” often used in literary or historical contexts.