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March 24, 2026
初期()chūqī(chu1qi1)
初期 (chūqī) refers to the initial or beginning stage of a process, event, or development. It is commonly used in contexts such as historical periods, project timelines, or developmental phases, indicating the starting point before significant changes occur.
Frequency#12953DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the concept of 初期 is often referenced when discussing dynastic changes or the initial phases of significant cultural movements, such as the 初期的文化大革命 (the initial stage of the Cultural Revolution).
Memory Tip
Think of 初 (chū) as a 'first' step, like a child taking their first steps, and 期 (qī) as a 'period' of time. Imagine a baby learning to walk in the early period of life, representing the initial stage of development.
Meanings of 初期
chūqī(chu1qi1)
1initial stage
2beginning period
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About 初期
初期Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 初期
Podcast: 初期
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AI Study Notes for 初期
Quick Contrast
初期 (chūqī) vs 早期 (zǎoqī) — use 初期 for the very beginning stage, while 早期 refers to an early stage that may still be ongoing.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 初 (chū) as a 'first' step, like a child taking their first steps, and 期 (qī) as a 'period' of time. Imagine a baby learning to walk in the early period of life, representing the initial stage of development.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 初期 with 早期 (zǎoqī), which means 'early stage' but can imply a later point than 初期. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about projects or historical events.
HSK Study Tips
While 初期 is not on the official HSK list, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to time and phases, such as 时候 (shíhòu, time) and 阶段 (jiēduàn, stage). Students should focus on the components of the word to understand its structure.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the concept of 初期 is often referenced when discussing dynastic changes or the initial phases of significant cultural movements, such as the 初期的文化大革命 (the initial stage of the Cultural Revolution).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 初期 with 后期 (hòuqī), which means 'later stage'. For example, saying '在初期，我们已经做了很多' (In the later stage, we have already done a lot) is incorrect; it should be '在初期，我们已经做了很多'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 初期
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In Chinese history, the concept of 初期 is often referenced when discussing dynastic changes or the initial phases of significant cultural movements, such as the 初期的文化大革命 (the initial stage of the Cultural Revolution).
Some synonyms for 初期 include 起始 (qǐshǐ), which means 'beginning', and 开端 (kāiduān), meaning 'outset'. These words also convey the idea of an initial phase or starting point.
初期 refers specifically to the early stage, while 中期 (zhōngqī) means 'mid-stage' and 后期 (hòuqī) means 'later stage'. Each term marks a different phase in a process or development, highlighting how things evolve over time.
初期 (chūqī) refers to the initial or early stage of something, often used in contexts like development or processes. It indicates the beginning phase before further progress or changes occur.
You can use 初期 in a sentence to describe the early stage of a project or condition, such as '这个项目在初期阶段需要更多的研究' (This project requires more research in the initial phase). It helps convey that something is still in its formative stages.
No, 初期 specifically refers to the very beginning stage, while 早期 can imply an earlier part of a later stage.
Yes, it can be used in both formal discussions and casual conversations about beginnings.
Yes, you might also encounter 初步 (chūbù), which means 'preliminary' or 'initial step'.
