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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'beginning' or 'to start' with 开始 (kāishǐ)

    Actions & Events
    Sequence & Order
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Subject + 开始 + Verb/Event

    Explanation

    The word 开始 (kāishǐ) means "to begin" or "start" and can serve as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it marks the onset of an action or event; as a noun, it means "the beginning." For example, 战争开始了 means "the war has started."

    Examples

    • 比赛马上就要开始了，大家准备好了吗？

      bǐsài mǎshàng jiù yào kāishǐ le, dàjiā zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?

      The competition is about to begin—is everyone ready?

    • 从今天开始，我要每天坚持锻炼身体。

      cóng jīntiān kāishǐ, wǒ yào měitiān jiānchí duànliàn shēntǐ.

      Starting today, I will exercise every day without fail.

    • 故事的开始很平淡，但结尾却出人意料。

      gùshi de kāishǐ hěn píngdàn, dàn jiéwěi què chūrényìliào.

      The story began uneventfully, but the ending was unexpected.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'beginning' or 'to start' with 开始 (kāishǐ) | Chinese Grammar