Definition
起初 (qǐchū) is a time noun meaning 'at first, at the outset,' focusing on the beginning of a situation that later changes. Unlike 原来 (yuánlái), which can mean 'originally' but often introduces a discovery or new fact, 起初 simply marks the initial point in time. It is similar to 最初 (zuìchū), but 起初 is more commonly used in contrasts between 'at first' and 'later' in narratives.
noun
at firstoriginallyat the outset
Examples
- 起初，。qǐ chū tā bù xǐhuan zhège gōngzuò, hòulái mànmàn xǐhuan le.At first he didn't like this job, but later he gradually came to like it.
- 起初，。qǐ chū wǒ yǐwéi zhǐ yǒu shí gè rén, méi xiǎng dào lái le èrshí gè.At first I thought there were only ten people; I didn't expect twenty to come.
- 起初。Wǒmen qǐ chū de jìhuà yǐjīng quánbù gǎibiàn le.Our original plan has already completely changed.
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