hoi1 tau4開頭开头

Jyutpinghoi1 tau4

Yalehōi tàuh

名詞Very common

Definition

The beginning or start of something.

colloquialtimedaily actions

How it's used

Functions as both a noun referring to the start of an event and an adverbial phrase meaning initially. When used as an adverb, it often highlights a contrast between one's initial impression or situation and the eventual outcome. It is frequently paired with 點知 or 點知原來 to introduce a surprising turn of events.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

hoi1開tau4頭ngo5我ji5以wai4為keoi5佢m4唔lai4嚟，dim2點zi1知keoi5佢zeoi3最hau6後ceot1出jin6現zo2咗。

At the beginning I thought he wouldn't come, but he showed up in the end.

nei5你hoi1開tau4頭dim2點gaai2解m4唔tung4同ngo5我gong2講cing1清co2楚aa3呀？

Why didn't you explain it clearly to me at the start?

Common phrases

hoi1開tau4頭go2嗰zan6陣

at the very beginning

hoi1開tau4頭hai6係gam3咁

it was like that at the start

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 開始, which is a verb meaning to start or begin. Use 開頭 when you want to talk about the beginning as a point in time or a noun, whereas 開始 is used for the action of starting something.