起始 (qǐ shǐ) — beginning, start, origin | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

起始 (qǐshǐ) is a more formal written term for the 'beginning or origin' of a process, story, or matter — closer in tone to 'origin/onset' than the everyday 开始.

noun

beginningstartorigin

Examples

起始。
Zhè ge xiàng mù de qǐ shǐ jiē duàn hěn zhòng yào.
The initial stage of this project is very important.
起始。
Wǒ men xū yào liǎo jiě shì qing de qǐ shǐ.
We need to understand the origin of the matter.
起始，。
Cóng qǐ shǐ dào jié shù, tā dōu hěn rèn zhēn.
From the beginning to the end, he was very serious.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

Beginning and starting combine to mean the initial point.

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.

走巳起

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

巳

巳sì起qǐ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

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

女台始

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.

Appears in

Change & Process

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.