About
始 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic component 女 'woman' is on the left, while the phonetic 台 is on the right. The 女 radical reflects the word's original meaning, 'elder sister', a sense now written as 姒. Over time, the meaning shifted to 'first' or 'start'. The character consistently denotes the beginning of an action, period, or process. It also frequently serves as an adverb meaning 'only then' or 'for the first time', marking the moment an action finally commences.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们现在开始吧。
会议从九点开始。
他始终微笑着。
起始点在这里。
始于童年的梦想。
始创于一九九零年。
始终不懈的努力才能成功。
从开始到现在，他变化很大。
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.