in the beginning; originally; at that time (in the past)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
in the beginning; originally; at that time (in the past)
neutralA time word used to refer to a point or period in the past, often contrasting with the present situation. Common in expressions of regret, reminiscence, or explaining origins.
Dāng当
chū初
zhè这
lǐ里
shì是
yī一
piàn片
wāng汪
yáng洋
。
This place was a vast ocean originally.
Zǎo早
zhī知
jīn今
rì日
，
hé何
bì必
dāng当
chū初
？
If I had known it would come to this, why did I act that way in the first place?
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Wǒ我
men们
dāng当
chū初
de的
mèng梦
xiǎng想
shì是
kāi开
yī一
jiā家
xiǎo小
kā咖
fēi啡
guǎn馆
。
Our original dream was to open a small café.
Tā他
dāng当
chū初
dā答
yìng应
de得
nà那
me么
tòng痛
kuài快
，
xiàn现
zài在
què却
fǎn反
huǐ悔
le了
。
He agreed so readily back then, but now he's gone back on his word.