最
初

About

The word 最初 is formed by combining the character 最, which means "most" or "extremely", with 初, meaning "beginning" or "initial". Here, 最 acts as an intensifier modifying 初, so the compound literally conveys "the most beginning", resulting in the meaning "the very beginning" or "the earliest stage".

Example Sentences Hide

最初我不喜欢这里。

Zuìchū wǒ bù xǐhuān zhèlǐ.

At first, I didn't like it here.

他最初计划去北京。

Tā zuìchū jìhuà qù Běijīng.

He initially planned to go to Beijing.

最初的想法往往最简单。

Zuìchū de xiǎngfǎ wǎngwǎng zuì jiǎndān.

Initial ideas are often the simplest.

我们最初相遇的地方是个公园。

Wǒmen zuìchū xiāngyù de dìfāng shì gè gōngyuán.

The place where we first met is a park.

最初的设计方案经过多次修改才最终确定。

Zuìchū de shèjì fāng'àn jīngguò duōcì xiūgǎi cái zuìzhōng quèdìng.

The initial design plan was finalized only after multiple revisions.

Word Definition - 最初

zuì chū first; primary; initial; original; at first; initially; originally

Individual Character Details

最 zuì, zuì, zuì
初 chū