co1 bat1 co1初不初

Jyutpingco1 bat1 co1

Yalechō bāt chō

Definition

At the very beginning.

colloquialtime

How it's used

Emphasizes the very start of a process or event, often implying a contrast with how things turned out later. It carries a slightly more narrative or reflective tone than simply using 開始. It is frequently used to highlight a change in attitude or situation over time.

Examples

co1初bat1不co1初keoi5佢dou1都m4唔hang2肯gong2講sat6實waa6話。

At the very beginning, he refused to tell the truth.

nei5你co1初bat1不co1初hai6係mai6咪ji5已ging1經zi1知co3錯㗎？

Did you already know you were wrong at the very beginning?

Common phrases

co1初bat1不co1初zau6就

right from the start

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 起初, but 初不初 is more colloquial and specifically highlights the initial state in a way that feels more conversational and emphatic.