start work; begin a workday
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
(of workers engaged in collective labor) to start work for the day; to begin one's shift
Refers to the daily beginning of work, especially in construction, manufacturing, or agricultural labor contexts.
Gōng工
rén人
men们
měi每
tiān天
zǎo早
shang上
qī七
diǎn点
zhǔn准
shí时
shàng上
gōng工
。
The workers start work punctually at seven every morning.
Shàng上
gōng工
líng铃
xiǎng响
le了
，
dà大
jiā家
gè各
jiù就
gè各
wèi位
。
The starting bell rang, and everyone took their positions.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Jīn今
tiān天
shì是
tā他
shàng上
gōng工
de的
dì第
yī一
tiān天
，
nǐ你
yào要
duō多
guān关
zhào照
tā他
。
Today is his first day on the job, so please look after him.
verb
(of a hired laborer) to begin working at the employer's house on the first day
Specifically refers to the traditional practice where hired hands (长工, 保姆, etc.) begin their service contract at the employer's residence.
Xīn新
lái来
de的
bǎo保
mǔ姆
míng明
tiān天
shàng上
gōng工
，
nǐ你
yào要
tí提
qián前
zhǔn准
bèi备
hǎo好
fáng房
jiān间
。
The new nanny starts work tomorrow, so you should prepare the room in advance.
Àn按
zhào照
lǎo老
guī规
ju矩
，
cháng长
gōng工
dōu都
shì是
zhēng正
yuè月
lǐ里
shàng上
gōng工
，
là腊
yuè月
lǐ里
xià下
gōng工
。
According to old customs, long-term hired hands start work in the first lunar month and finish in the twelfth.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Tā他
shàng上
gōng工
dì第
yī一
tiān天
jiù就
dǎ打
pò破
le了
zhǔ主
rén人
de的
gǔ古
dǒng董
huā花
píng瓶
。
On his first day of work, he broke the master's antique vase.