The word 最初 is formed by combining two individual characters, each contributing its core meaning to create a new, composite idea. The first character, 最, carries the meaning of "most" or "utmost", acting as a superlative. The second character, 初, pictographically represents a knife cutting cloth, symbolizing a "beginning" or "initial stage". When placed together, 最 intensifies 初, logically constructing the concept of "the very beginning" or "the initial point in time".