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创始 (chuàng shǐ) — to found; to establish (an organization, institution, etc.)

Definition

A formal verb meaning to found or establish an organization, institution, or similar. Use it for the original act of creation, distinct from the broader 建设 ('to build/develop') or the everyday 建立 ('to set up').

verb
to foundto establish (an organization, institution, etc.)

Examples

  • 创始。
    Tā chuàng shǐ le zhè jiā gōng sī.
    He founded this company.
  • 创始。
    Zhè ge zǔ zhī shì tā chuàng shǐ de.
    This organization was founded by him.
  • 创始。
    Tā men gòng tóng chuàng shǐ le zhè ge jī jīn huì.
    They jointly founded this foundation.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

创chuàngcreate
始shǐbegin

创 (create) and 始 (begin) combine to mean originate or establish.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 創; 创 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
倉
倉cāng創chuàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 創 pairs 倉 with 刀 (knife) to write 'wound', and 倉 gives the pronunciation. The simplified 创 is a later shorthand.

Open 创 →

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 →
Appears in
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