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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'at first' with 起初 (qǐchū)

    Sequence & Order
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    起初 + Clause

    Explanation

    The adverb 起初 (qǐchū) means "at first," "initially," or "in the beginning." It is used to describe a situation or state that existed at an earlier time, often implying that things changed later. It typically appears at the beginning of a clause.

    Examples

    • 起初我不太习惯这里的天气。

      Qǐchū wǒ bú tài xíguàn zhèlǐ de tiānqì.

      At first, I wasn't used to the weather here.

    • 起初他不愿意去，后来改主意了。

      Qǐchū tā bù yuànyì qù, hòulái gǎi zhǔyì le.

      At first he didn't want to go, but later he changed his mind.

    • 起初大家都不相信，结果真的成功了。

      Qǐchū dàjiā dōu bù xiāngxìn, jiéguǒ zhēn de chénggōng le.

      At first nobody believed it, but in the end it really succeeded.

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    Expressing 'at first' with 起初 (qǐchū) | Chinese Grammar