最初

zuì chū

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Common

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Definitions

1. first
2. primary
3. initial
4. original
5. at first
6. initially
7. originally

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 最终 zuì zhōng 最终 zuì zhōng final; ultimate 最初 means 'initial'; 最终 means 'final' or 'ultimate'.: final; ultimate

Related words

1 item

• 起先 qǐ xiān 起先 qǐ xiān at first; in the beginning 起先 is another way to express 'at first', often in storytelling.: at first; in the beginning

Synonyms

1 item

• 起初 qǐ chū 起初 qǐ chū originally Both mean 'at first' or 'initially', emphasizing the starting point.: originally

Usage notes

Formality

最初 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often appears in written or formal speech.

Example Sentences

1 shown

最初 ，我不喜欢学中文。

Initially, I didn't like studying Chinese.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 最初

• 初 初 chū: at first
• 最 最 zuì: most