HSK 2 · Chinese hanzi
始 — begin
- Reading
- shǐ
- Meaning
- begin; start
- HSK level
- HSK 2
- Language
- Chinese
About this hanzi
始 is a chinese hanzi character commonly studied at the HSK 2 level. Its primary reading is shǐ and it means begin; start. To master it, see it in real Chinese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
始 appears in everyday chinese words such as 开始 (start; begin), 始终 (from beginning to end) and 原始 (original, primitive, archaic).
Chinese words containing 始
Frequently asked questions
What does 始 mean in Chinese?
始 means begin; start in Chinese. It is one of the HSK 2 hanzi every learner meets at that level.
How is 始 read?
始 is read shǐ. Reading it inside real words — 开始 and 始终 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 始 — is it HSK 2?
Yes. 始 is on the official HSK 2 hanzi list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 始 in a word?
A common word containing 始 is 开始 (kāishǐ) — "start; begin". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 始 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Chinese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 始 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More HSK 2 hanzi
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