起初 (qǐ chū) — at first, originally, at the outset
Definition
Names the starting point of a story or plan: 'at first, originally'. Pair it with 后来 or 现在 to contrast then-and-now. 本来 also means 'originally' but focuses on the original state, not a time point.
noun
at firstoriginallyat the outset
Examples
- 起初，。qǐ chū Tā bù xǐ huan zhè ge gōng zuò, hòu lái màn màn xǐ huan le.At first he didn't like this job, but later he gradually came to like it.
- 起初，。qǐ chū Wǒ yǐ wéi zhǐ yǒu shí gè rén, méi xiǎng dào lái le èr shí gè.At first I thought there were only ten people; I didn't expect twenty to come.
- 起初。Wǒ men qǐ chū de jì huà yǐ jīng quán bù gǎi biàn le.Our original plan has already completely changed.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.