How common it is
初 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Guest access
Guests can browse all words. Sign in or create an account to save progress and unlock more practice.
Pronunciation focus
Say chū slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
初表示开始、最初。
chū biǎo shì kāi shǐ 、 zuì chū。
初 means beginning or initial.
Context note
初常用于时间、阶段和书面语。
chū cháng yòng yú shí jiān 、 jiē duàn hé shū miàn yǔ。
It is often used for time, stages, and formal language.
5 examples
初春很暖和。
chū chūn hěn nuǎn huo。
Early spring is warm.
初次见面，请多关照。
chū cì jiàn miàn， qǐng duō guān zhào。
Nice to meet you for the first time, please take care of me.
初学中文很有意思。
chū xué zhōng wén hěn yǒu yì sī。
Learning Chinese at the beginning is interesting.
初中生活很忙。
chū zhōng shēng huó hěn máng。
Junior high school life is busy.
初步计划已经做好。
chū bù jì huà yǐ jīng zuò hǎo。
The preliminary plan is already done.
5 mini stories
他在初学阶段很认真。
tā zài chū xué jiē duàn hěn rèn zhēn。
He was very serious in the beginner stage.
初次比赛时，她有点紧张。
chū cì bǐ sài shí， tā yǒu diǎn jǐn zhāng。
She was a little nervous at her first competition.
初春的天气很好。
chū chūn de tiān qì hěn hǎo。
The weather in early spring is good.
老师说初学者要慢慢来。
lǎo shī shuō chū xué zhě yào màn màn lái。
The teacher said beginners should take it slowly.
初见时，他们都很害羞。
chū jiàn shí， tā men dōu hěn hài xiū。
When they first met, they were both shy.