Meaning
开始 means 'to begin' or 'to start' and is one of the most fundamental verbs in Chinese. It can describe the initiation of any action, event, or period of time. The word combines 开 (to open) and 始 (to begin), creating a natural image of 'opening the beginning.'
Usage
Native speakers use 开始 constantly in daily conversation to mark the start of activities, classes, movies, work, or any process. It can function as both a verb ('we begin') and as part of time expressions ('at the beginning'). Often paired with time words like 现在 or used before another verb to indicate starting an action.
Examples
- 01电影几点开始??What time does the movie start?
- 02我们现在开始上课吧。.Let's start class now.
Characters
Common collocations
- 开始工作to start work
- 从...开始...to start from...
- 刚开始just started, at first
Antonyms
Origin
The character 始 originally depicted a woman (女) giving birth, symbolizing the beginning of life. Combined with 开 (to open), the compound reinforces the concept of opening or initiating something new.