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初 (chū): beginning, early; for the first time; prefix for early times

Stroke Order & Writing

HSK 5noun, adverb, prefix

Character info

Pinyin
Meaning
beginning, early; for the first time; prefix for early times
Characters
1
Part of speech
noun, adverb, prefix
HSK level
HSK 5
Strokes
7
Radical
刀
Structure
左右结构

Full definitions

Meanings grouped by pronunciation.

  • (bound form) at first
  • initially
  • (bound form) first
  • early
  • (bound form) (in lunar calendar dates

Chinese explanation

  • 表示开始的时候或最早的阶段,常用来指事情刚开始发生的那段时间
  • 与“后”“晚”相对,表示时间上在前、次序上靠前
  • 用在“一”“十”等数词前,表示农历每月的开头几天。

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Stroke-by-stroke breakdown

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7 strokes

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