初来乍到 (chū lái zhà dào) — (idiom) to be a newcomer; having just arrived (and not yet familiar)

Definition

An idiom for being a newcomer somewhere — you just arrived and don't know the place yet. Often used to politely introduce yourself and ask for others' help or guidance.

idiom
to be a newcomerhaving just arrived (and not yet familiar)

Examples

  • 初来乍到，。
    Wǒ chū lái zhà dào, duì zhè lǐ hái bú tài shú xi.
    I just arrived and am not very familiar with this place yet.
  • 初来乍到，。
    chū lái zhà dào De tā, hěn kuài jiù jiāo dào le xīn péng you.
    He, a newcomer, quickly made new friends.
  • 初来乍到，。
    chū lái zhà dào, Qǐng dà jiā duō duō guān zhào.
    I'm new here, please take care of me.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

初 combines 衤 (clothes) and 刀 (knife), showing the start of making clothes by cutting cloth.

Open 初 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

乍 was drawn as an axe chopping wood.

Open 乍 →

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
至至zhìto arrive
Sound part声符shēngfú
刀
刀dāo到dào
Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Open 到 →

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