伊始 (yī shǐ) — beginning; outset (formal/literary)

Definition

Formal/literary noun for the very beginning or outset of something (e.g. 新年伊始). It only appears after a time phrase, never alone.

noun
beginningoutset (formal/literary)

Examples

  • 伊始，。
    Xīn nián yī shǐ, gōng sī jǔ xíng le quán tǐ dà huì.
    At the beginning of the new year, the company held an all-staff meeting.
  • 伊始，。
    Huó dòng yī shǐ, zhǔ chí rén jiè shào le gè wèi lái bīn.
    At the start of the event, the host introduced the guests.
  • 伊始，。
    Zì kāi yè yī shǐ, zhè jiā cān tīng shēng yì jiù hěn hǎo.
    Ever since its opening, this restaurant has been doing great business.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

伊yīformal
始shǐbegin

伊始 names the outset; 伊 adds a formal literary tone, while 始 supplies the sense of beginning.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
尹
尹yǐn伊yī
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 亻 shows a person. The right part 尹 is used for the sound.

Open 伊 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
女女nǚwoman
Sound part声符shēngfú
台
台tái始shǐ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

始 is made of 女 (woman) and 台, which gives the sound.

Open 始 →

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