Definition
始 is a bound form (b.f.) that primarily means 'beginning' or 'start', and appears in common compounds like 开始 (to begin), 始终 (from start to finish; consistently), and 始末 (the whole story). In classical or literary Chinese, it can also function as an adverb meaning 'only then' or 'not until' (e.g., 始知 'only then realize'). It is also used as a rare surname.
b.f.
beginningstart (bound form, used in compounds)(literary) only thennot until
Examples
- 。Tā shǐ zhōng bǎochí zhe wēixiào.He kept a smile from start to finish.
- 。Zhège gùshi cóng kāi shǐ dào jiéwěi dōu hěn jīngcǎi.This story is wonderful from the beginning to the end.
- 。Zhè xiàng chuántǒng shǐ yú Táng dài.This tradition originated in the Tang dynasty.
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