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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'starting from' with 始于 (shǐyú)

    Sequence & Order
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Subject + 始于 + Time/Place

    Explanation

    始于 (shǐyú) is a verb meaning "to start from" or "to originate in," used to indicate the beginning point of something in time or place. It is a formal, literary expression commonly found in written Chinese and historical texts. The term combines 始 (begin) and 于 (at/from).

    Examples

    • 这个传统始于唐朝，已经有一千多年了。

      zhège chuántǒng shǐyú tángcháo, yǐjīng yǒu yīqiān duō nián le.

      This tradition began in the Tang Dynasty and has a history of over a thousand years.

    • 他们的友谊始于大学时代。

      tāmen de yǒuyì shǐyú dàxué shídài.

      Their friendship began during their college years.

    • 这项技术的发展始于上个世纪。

      zhè xiàng jìshù de fāzhǎn shǐyú shàng gè shìjì.

      The development of this technology began in the last century.

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    Expressing 'starting from' with 始于 (shǐyú) | Chinese Grammar