co1初

Jyutpingco1

Yalechō

語素Common

Definition

The beginning, start, or early stage of something.

colloquialtime

How it's used

The reduplicated form 初初 is the standard way to express 'at first' or 'initially' in spoken Cantonese. It functions as an adverbial modifier and is far more natural in conversation than using the formal noun form alone. It often implies a contrast between an initial state and a later change in situation or opinion.

Examples

keoi5佢co1初co1初lai4嚟hoeng1香gong2港go2嗰zan6陣hou2好m4唔gwaan3慣。

He was not used to Hong Kong when he first arrived.

nei5你co1初co1初dim2點gaai2解wui2會soeng2想hok6學gwong2廣dung1東waa2話aa1呀？

Why did you want to learn Cantonese in the first place?

Common phrases

co1初co1初gin3見min6面

first meeting

co1初co1初hoi1開ci2始

just starting out

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 初初 with 開始. While both relate to beginnings, 開始 is a verb meaning 'to start', whereas 初初 is an adverb describing the initial phase of an experience.