起初
How to Understand
起初 means 'at first' or 'originally,' indicating the beginning of a situation or sequence of events. It emphasizes the initial stage before any changes occur, often used to contrast with later developments.
The character 起 (qǐ) originally meant 'to rise' or 'to start,' while 初 (chū) means 'beginning' or 'first.' Together, they convey the idea of 'the beginning' or 'initially,' reflecting a historical sense of starting something new.
起初 is commonly used in narratives, discussions about past events, or explanations of how things started. It appears in both spoken and written Chinese, especially when describing the origin of a situation or a shift in circumstances. It is often paired with words like 之后 (after) or 然后 (then) to show progression over time.