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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "initial" or "primary" with 初 (chū)

    Description & Modification
    Sequence & Order

    Structure

    初 + Noun/Adjective

    Explanation

    初 (chū) means "initial," "primary," or "beginning" and is used as a prefix to indicate the first or basic level of something. It often combines with other characters to form compound words. For example, 初级 means "primary level" or "elementary."

    Examples

    • 他刚到公司，还处于初级阶段。

      Tā gāng dào gōngsī, hái chǔyú chūjí jiēduàn.

      He just arrived at the company and is still at the beginner stage.

    • 这本书很适合初学者使用。

      Zhè běn shū hěn shìhé chūxuézhě shǐyòng.

      This book is very suitable for beginners to use.

    • 我们九月初去旅行吧。

      Wǒmen jiǔ yuè chū qù lǚxíng ba.

      Let's go traveling in early September.

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    Expressing "initial" or "primary" with 初 (chū) | Chinese Grammar