How common it is
最初 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say zuì chū slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
最初表示最开始的时候。
Zuì chū biǎoshì zuì kāishǐ de shíhou.
At first means the very beginning.
Context note
最初常用于讲述故事的开头。
Zuì chū cháng yòng yú jiǎngshù gùshì de kāitóu.
At first is often used to tell the beginning of a story.
5 examples
最初我不认识他。
zuì chū wǒ bú rèn shi tā。
At first I didn't know him.
最初这里很小。
zuì chū zhè lǐ hěn xiǎo。
At first this place was very small.
最初我们很开心。
zuì chū wǒ men hěn kāi xīn。
At first we were very happy.
最初他不同意。
zuì chū tā bù tóng yì。
At first he didn't agree.
最初我不知道答案。
zuì chū wǒ bù zhī dào dá àn。
At first I didn't know the answer.
5 mini stories
最初小鸟不会飞。
zuì chū xiǎo niǎo bú huì fēi。
At first the little bird couldn't fly.
最初种子很小。
zuì chū zhǒng zi hěn xiǎo。
At first the seed was very small.
最初我们迷路了。
zuì chū wǒ men mí lù le。
At first we got lost.
最初他害怕水。
zuì chū tā hài pà shuǐ。
At first he was afraid of water.
最初太阳还没出来。
zuì chū tài yáng hái méi chū lái。
At first the sun hadn't come out yet.