Use '当初' to refer to a specific point or period in the past, often the beginning.
当初 in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the beginning or a specific past time.
- Used to recall or contrast with the present.
- Emphasizes the initial situation or decision.
Overview
“当初”是一个常用的副词，用来指代过去某个特定的时间点，通常是事情的开端或某个重要的早期阶段。它带有一定的回溯意味，常常与现在的情况形成对比，引出对过去的回忆、反思或说明。使用“当初”可以使表达更加清晰地指向过去，强调某个决定、事件或状态发生时的具体情境。
“当初”通常放在句首或主语之后，用来引入对过去的回顾。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他时间词语搭配。例如，“当初我没听你的劝告，现在后悔了。” 这里的“当初”明确指出了做出某个决定的那个时间点。它也可以用来描述过去某个时期的普遍情况，比如：“当初我们条件很艰苦。” 强调的是过去那个特定的时期。
“当初”经常出现在回忆录、故事叙述、个人反思以及解释原因的对话中。在这些语境下，它有助于听者或读者理解事情发展的来龙去脉。例如，在讨论一个项目时，可能会说：“当初我们设想这个项目时，并没有想到它会变得这么复杂。” 这就将讨论的焦点拉回到了项目启动之初的设想阶段。在谈论人际关系时，也常用到，比如：“当初我们是很好的朋友，但后来因为一些误会就疏远了。”
“当初”与“以前”、“过去”、“从前”等词语在表示时间上都指向过去，但侧重点有所不同。“以前”、“过去”、“从前”更泛指一段时间，而“当初”则更侧重于事情的开端、最初的某个时间点，或者一个特定的、有标志性的过去时刻。例如，“我以前住在北京”表示过去住过，范围较广；而“当初我决定来北京时，心里很激动”则明确指出了“决定来北京”那个特定的时间点。与“起初”相比，“当初”的使用范围更广，可以指离现在较远的过去，也可以指离现在不远的过去，而“起初”则更强调事物的开端，有时略显书面化。
Examples
当初我选择学中文，是因为我对中国文化很感兴趣。
everydayAt the beginning, I chose to study Chinese because I was very interested in Chinese culture.
当初设想这个项目时，我们并未预料到其复杂性。
formalWhen we originally conceived this project, we did not anticipate its complexity.
当初咱们俩一块儿创业，可不容易啊！
informalBack then, when you and I started this business together, it wasn't easy at all!
当初的经济政策对市场产生了深远影响。
academicThe economic policies at the outset had a profound impact on the market.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
当初是什么情况？
What was the situation at the outset?
当初就不该…
Shouldn't have... back then
当初的我们
The 'us' from back then
Often Confused With
'当初' emphasizes the beginning or a specific point in time, often with a sense of reflection. '以前' is a more general term for 'before' or 'in the past'.
'当初' and '起初' both refer to the beginning, but '当初' is more common in spoken language and can refer to any specific past time, while '起初' often emphasizes the very first moment or is slightly more formal.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
1. '当初' is primarily used to refer to a specific point or period in the past, often the beginning of an event, decision, or situation. 2. It frequently carries a tone of reflection, comparison with the present, or explanation for current circumstances. 3. It is common in both spoken and written Chinese, particularly in narrative contexts.
1. Confusing '当初' with '以前' (before/in the past) by using it for any past time instead of a specific starting point. 2. Using '当初' to refer to the immediate past or future, which is incorrect as it denotes a more distant or foundational past. 3. Placing '当初' incorrectly in a sentence, although it's quite flexible, usually appearing at the beginning or after the subject.
Tips
Pinpoint the Past Moment
Use '当初' to specifically reference the starting point or a key moment in the past, not just any time before now.
Avoid Overuse
While useful, constantly starting sentences with '当初' can make the narrative repetitive. Vary your sentence structure.
Reflecting on the Past
The use of '当初' often reflects a cultural tendency to learn from or reminisce about past experiences and decisions.
Word Origin
The word '当初' (dāng chū) combines '当' (dāng), meaning 'at the time of' or 'when', and '初' (chū), meaning 'first' or 'beginning'. Together, they literally mean 'at the beginning' or 'at that time'.
Cultural Context
The concept of reflecting on past decisions and their consequences is common in many cultures. '当初' provides a linguistic tool to facilitate this reflection in Chinese, linking past actions to present outcomes.
Memory Tip
Think of '当初' as 'the time when the dough was first mixed' – it's about the origin or the very start of things.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“当初”更侧重于指事情的开端或某个特定的过去时间点，常带有回溯和对比的意味。“以前”则泛指过去的时间，范围更广，不一定特指开端。
“当初”通常用在句首，也可以放在主语后面。它主要用来引导对过去的回忆或说明。
在回忆往事、解释过去决定、讲述故事起源或对比今昔情况时，使用“当初”会非常自然和贴切。
不一定。“当初”本身是中性的，表示过去的时间。但根据句子内容，它可以用来表达后悔（“当初不该…”）、怀念（“当初我们很快乐”）等不同的情感。
Test Yourself 3 questions
_______我没有坚持学习英语，现在觉得很遗憾。
这里需要指明做出“不坚持学习”决定的那个过去的时间点，所以“当初”最合适。
“当初的决定改变了我的一生。” 这句话的意思最接近？
“当初”指事情刚开始或过去某个特定的时间点，选项 C 中的“早先”最能体现这个意思。
请用“当初”和以下词语组成一个通顺的句子：我们，很，开心，一起，工作。
将“当初”放在句首或主语后，描述过去的状态，句子“当初我们一起工作很开心”最自然流畅。
/ 3 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use '当初' to refer to a specific point or period in the past, often the beginning.
- Refers to the beginning or a specific past time.
- Used to recall or contrast with the present.
- Emphasizes the initial situation or decision.
Pinpoint the Past Moment
Use '当初' to specifically reference the starting point or a key moment in the past, not just any time before now.
Avoid Overuse
While useful, constantly starting sentences with '当初' can make the narrative repetitive. Vary your sentence structure.
Reflecting on the Past
The use of '当初' often reflects a cultural tendency to learn from or reminisce about past experiences and decisions.
Examples
4 of 4当初我选择学中文，是因为我对中国文化很感兴趣。
At the beginning, I chose to study Chinese because I was very interested in Chinese culture.
当初设想这个项目时，我们并未预料到其复杂性。
When we originally conceived this project, we did not anticipate its complexity.
当初咱们俩一块儿创业，可不容易啊！
Back then, when you and I started this business together, it wasn't easy at all!
当初的经济政策对市场产生了深远影响。
The economic policies at the outset had a profound impact on the market.
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