Use '起先' to describe how something was at the beginning before it changed.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Indicates the initial state of an event.
- Often implies a subsequent change or contrast.
- Used to narrate stories or personal experiences.
Overview
- 1概览：‘起先’是一个在口语和书面语中都非常常用的副词，意为‘当初’、‘开始时’。它传达出一种时间上的先后对比感。2) 使用模式：它通常放在主语之后，谓语动词之前。例如：‘他起先不同意，后来被说服了。’它强调的是动作或状态的起始阶段，往往用于引出一段经历或故事的开端。3) 常见语境：常用于叙述一件事情的发展过程，特别是当结果与预期或最初的情况有反差时。例如在讲述误会、学习新技能或改变计划时，‘起先’是极佳的连接词。4) 近义词辨析：与‘开始’相比，‘起先’更侧重于对过去状态的回顾，带有‘回想起来’的意味；与‘起初’相比，二者用法基本一致，但‘起初’在书面语中出现频率略高，而‘起先’在口语中显得更自然亲切。
Examples
起先我不习惯吃辣，现在很爱吃。
everydayAt first I wasn't used to eating spicy food, but now I love it.
起先该项目进展缓慢，但随后效率大幅提升。
formalInitially, the project progressed slowly, but efficiency increased significantly later.
起先我以为是你打的电话。
informalAt first I thought it was you who called.
起先的研究表明，该药物效果显著。
academicInitial research indicated that the drug was effective.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
起先并没有
didn't have/do at first
起先以为是
thought it was... at first
起先并不了解
didn't understand at first
Often Confused With
‘开始’ can be a verb or noun, while ‘起先’ is only an adverb. ‘开始’ is more neutral and direct.
They are nearly synonyms. ‘起初’ is slightly more formal and frequently used in written texts.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '起先' to provide context for a change. It is versatile but sounds most natural in narrative contexts. It is not suitable for technical instructions where '首先' (firstly) is preferred.
Common Mistakes
Students often use it as a verb, like '我起先了这件事' (Incorrect). Remember it is an adverb and needs a verb to follow it. Also, avoid using it when describing a sequence of steps; use '首先' for that.
Tips
Use for storytelling
Use '起先' when you want to tell a story about how you changed your mind or how a situation evolved over time.
Not a verb
Remember that '起先' is an adverb. Do not use it as a verb to mean 'to start' (use 开始 instead).
Natural flow
Native speakers often use this to soften the tone when explaining why they made a mistake or changed a decision.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of '起' (start) and '先' (before/first), emphasizing the very first moment of an event.
Cultural Context
Reflects the Chinese storytelling habit of establishing a baseline before introducing a plot twist. It is a polite way to admit a change in perspective without sounding too abrupt.
Memory Tip
Think of '起' (rise/start) + '先' (first). It's the 'rising-first' moment before the story turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“开始”既可以作动词也可以作名词，而“起先”只能作副词。此外，“起先”强调的是一种回溯性的对比，即强调后来发生了变化。
可以，放在句首时通常后面要加逗号。例如：“起先，我以为这很简单，但后来发现很难。”
它可以用于正式场合，但更常用于叙述性的文章或日常对话中。在非常严肃的公文中，有时会用“当初”或“起初”代替。
不一定，但由于它表达的是一种对比，通常在语境中会隐含或明确出现“后来”、“结果”等词来形成对比。
Test Yourself
___我觉得很难，但练习几次后就熟练了。
句子描述了从难到熟练的变化过程，因此使用表示开始阶段的副词“起先”。
他___不想去，但被朋友劝说了。
“起先”强调了最初的意愿，与后来的被劝说形成对比。
起先 / 我们 / 认识 / 不 / 是 / 互相
副词“起先”通常放在主语“我们”之前或之后，这里放在句首表示时间状语最自然。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '起先' to describe how something was at the beginning before it changed.
- Indicates the initial state of an event.
- Often implies a subsequent change or contrast.
- Used to narrate stories or personal experiences.
Use for storytelling
Use '起先' when you want to tell a story about how you changed your mind or how a situation evolved over time.
Not a verb
Remember that '起先' is an adverb. Do not use it as a verb to mean 'to start' (use 开始 instead).
Natural flow
Native speakers often use this to soften the tone when explaining why they made a mistake or changed a decision.
Examples
4 of 4起先我不习惯吃辣，现在很爱吃。
At first I wasn't used to eating spicy food, but now I love it.
起先该项目进展缓慢，但随后效率大幅提升。
Initially, the project progressed slowly, but efficiency increased significantly later.
起先我以为是你打的电话。
At first I thought it was you who called.
起先的研究表明，该药物效果显著。
Initial research indicated that the drug was effective.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
