Definition
着手 (zhuó shǒu) is a formal verb meaning 'to set about, to start work on (a task or project)'. It is more specific and formal than the general 开始 (kāi shǐ, 'to start'), and less colloquial than 动手 (dòng shǒu, 'to start working on' — which can also mean 'to hit'). Use 着手 when emphasizing the beginning of a deliberate, planned effort.
verb
to beginto set aboutto start work on (a task)
Examples
- 着手。Tāmen dǎsuàn cóng diàochá zhuó shǒu jiějué zhège wèntí.They plan to start by investigating this problem.
- 着手。Zhège xiàngmù yǐjīng zhǔnbèi zhuó shǒu le.This project is ready to start.
- 着手？Wǒmen yīnggāi cóng nǎlǐ zhuó shǒu ne?Where should we start?
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