at first; initially; in the beginning
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesnoun
at first; initially; in the beginning
Used to refer to the initial stage or the first impression of a situation, often contrasted with a later change in understanding, feeling, or outcome.
Zhè这
yàng样
zuò做
，
qǐ起
xiān先
wǒ我
yǒu有
xiē些
xiǎng想
bù不
tōng通
，
hòu后
lái来
cái才
xiǎng想
tōng通
le了
。
I didn't quite understand why we should do it this way at first, but later I figured it out.
Méng蒙
lóng眬
zhōng中
tīng听
jiàn见
wài外
miàn面
shù树
yè叶
huā哗
huā哗
xiǎng响
，
qǐ起
xiān先
hái还
yǐ以
wéi为
shì是
xià下
yǔ雨
，
zǐ仔
xì细
yī一
tīng听
，
cái才
zhī知
dào道
shì是
guā刮
fēng风
。
In my drowsiness, I heard the rustling of leaves outside; I initially thought it was raining, but upon listening carefully, I realized it was the wind.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
Qǐ起
xiān先
tā他
bù不
tóng同
yì意
zhè这
ge个
jì计
huà划
，
dàn但
tīng听
le了
dà大
jiā家
de的
jiě解
shì释
hòu后
jiù就
gǎi改
biàn变
le了
zhǔ主
yì意
。
He didn't agree with the plan at first, but changed his mind after hearing everyone's explanations.
Qǐ起
xiān先
wǒ我
yǐ以
wéi为
zhè这
shì是
ge个
hěn很
jiǎn简
dān单
de的
wèn问
tí题
，
méi没
xiǎng想
dào到
huā花
le了
zhè这
me么
jiǔ久
cái才
jiě解
jué决
。
I initially thought this was a very simple problem, but I didn't expect it would take this long to solve.
Gōng公
sī司
qǐ起
xiān先
de的
guī规
mó模
hěn很
xiǎo小
，
zhǐ只
yǒu有
jǐ几
ge个
yuán员
gōng工
。
The company was very small at the beginning, with only a few employees.