自始至终

zì shǐ zhì zhōng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Uncommon

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Definitions

1. from start to finish (idiom)

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 半途而废 bàn tú ér fèi 半途而废 bàn tú ér fèi to give up halfway (idiom); leave sth unfinished 中途停止，与‘自始至终’的持续形成对立: to give up halfway (idiom); leave sth unfinished

Related words

2 items

• 始终如一 shǐ zhōng rú yī 始终如一 shǐ zhōng rú yī unswerving from start to finish (idiom) 强调状态一直保持不变: unswerving from start to finish (idiom)
• 有始有终 yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng 有始有终 yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth 强调做事坚持到底: where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth

Synonyms

1 item

• 从头到尾 cóng tóu dào wěi 从头到尾 cóng tóu dào wěi from start to finish 通用; ‘自始至终’更书面化: from start to finish

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Avoid omitting ‘自’ or ‘至’, as it would break the fixed idiomatic structure.

Formality

Mainly used in formal or written contexts; ‘从头到尾’ is more common in spoken Chinese.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他 自始至终 没有说话。

He didn't say a word from beginning to end.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 自始至终

• 自 自 zì: self
• 至 至 zhì: to arrive
• 始 始 shǐ: to begin
• 终 终 zhōng: end
• 自始 自始 zì shǐ: from the outset