hei2 ci2起始
Jyutpinghei2 ci2
Yalehéi chí
Definition
The beginning or starting point.
writtentimeother
How it's used
While technically correct, this term sounds quite formal or academic in Cantonese. Most speakers prefer using 開始 or 開頭 in everyday conversation, as 起始 often appears in technical, legal, or written contexts like software settings or project documentation.
Examples
Where is the starting point of this plan?
We need to rethink from the very beginning.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe the start of an activity or event in casual speech, as it sounds stiff and unnatural. Use 開始 instead for general situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
