Definition
自始至终 (zì shǐ zhì zhōng) is a set phrase meaning 'from start to finish, the whole time'. It emphasizes the entire duration of an event or action, often with an implication of consistency. Unlike 始终 (shǐ zhōng), which can also mean 'always' and is used as an adverb, 自始至终 is a fixed phrase that explicitly marks a clear beginning and end.
phrase
from start to finishfrom beginning to end (the whole time)
Examples
- 自始至终。Tā zì shǐ zhì zhōng dōu hěn zhīchí wǒ de juédìng.She supported my decisions from start to finish.
- 自始至终。Zhè xiàng gōngchéng zì shǐ zhì zhōng jìnzhǎn shùnlì.This project went smoothly from beginning to end.
- 自始至终。Tā zì shǐ zhì zhōng méiyǒu shuō guò yí jù bàoyuàn de huà.He never uttered a single complaint from start to finish.
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