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初 (chū) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 5

初 (chū) is a Chinese word: at first; initially; beginning. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 初

副 fù adverb

at first; initially; beginning

我初来中国时不会说中文。

wǒ chū lái zhōng guó shí bù huì shuō zhōng wén

When I first came to China, I couldn't speak Chinese.

前缀 qián zhuì prefix

initial

初夏的天气非常舒适。

chū xià de tiān qì fēi cháng shū shì

The weather in early summer is very comfortable.

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Word breakdown

初 chū — at first; initially; beginning

Words with this character (10)
Show more (+5)
  • 6 初步 chū bù — preliminary HSK 6
    • 初 initial, first, beginning
    • 步 step, stage
    Example

    我们已经达成了初步协议。

    wǒ men yǐ jīng dá chéng le chū bù xié yì

    We have reached a preliminary agreement.

  • 7 初等 chū děng — elementary HSK 6
    • 初 beginning, initial
    • 等 grade, level, class
    Example

    他在初等学校教数学。

    tā zài chū děng xué xiào jiāo shù xué

    He teaches mathematics at elementary school.

  • 8 当初 dāng chū — originally/at first HSK 6
    • 当 at that time/during
    • 初 beginning/start
    Example

    我当初就不该答应他。

    wǒ dāng chū jiù bù gāi dā ying tā

    I shouldn't have agreed to him in the first place.

  • 9 起初 qǐ chū — at first HSK 6
    • 起 beginning, starting point
    • 初 initial, first
    Example

    起初我不喜欢这个城市，但现在我爱上了它。

    qǐ chū wǒ bù xǐ huan zhè ge chéng shì dàn xiàn zài wǒ ài shàng le tā

    At first I didn't like this city, but now I've fallen in love with it.

  • 10 初衷 chū zhōng — original intention HSK 7
    • 初 original, initial
    • 衷 heartfelt intention, sincere feeling
    Example

    他始终坚守自己的初衷。

    tā shǐ zhōng jiān shǒu zì jǐ de chū zhōng

    He always adheres to his original intention.

Structure & writing
1 初 chū — beginning; initial

初 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 衤 yī — clothing/garment radical
衤 is a component in 13 characters
HSK 2
裤 kù trousers; pants worn below the waist with two legs
HSK 3
初 chū beginning; initial 衫 shān upper garment, unlined jacket 衬 chèn to line with a layer underneath or inside 被 bèi a surname 裙 qún skirt (–子, –儿)
HSK 4
袜 wà sock; stocking (garment worn on the foot, not directly touching the ground)
HSK 5
补 bǔ to mend or repair something damaged
HSK 6
袖 xiù sleeve (of a garment) 裕 yù abundant, ample
HSK 7
袍 páo long robe; gown 袱 fu cloth used for wrapping or covering 裸 luǒ to be naked, bare (the body)
1.2 刀 dāo — knife; cutting tool used for slicing, cutting, or chopping
刀 is a component in 12 characters
HSK 1
分 fēn to divide; to separate (opposite of 合)
HSK 3
初 chū beginning; initial 解 jiě to split open; to separate
HSK 4
切 qiē to cut (with a knife, dividing into parts)
HSK 5
剪 jiǎn scissors; a cutting tool with two crossing blades 召 zhào to summon, to call
HSK 6
券 quàn ticket, voucher, or certificate 梁 liáng beam; horizontal load-bearing timber or structural member
HSK 7
劈 pī to chop or split open with a knife or axe 叨 dāo (colloq.) to talk endlessly; to chatter on and on (see "叨叨") 契 qì (lit.) to carve with a knife 寡 guǎ widowed (of a woman)

Stroke order