zeoi3 co1最初

Jyutpingzeoi3 co1

Yalejeui chō

副詞Common

Definition

At the very beginning, initially, or the earliest stage.

neutraltime

How it's used

Focuses on the very first stage of a process or a sequence of events. It is often used to contrast a past perspective or situation with how things turned out later. While it functions as an adverb, it can also act as a noun phrase to refer to the beginning of a story or relationship.

Examples

zeoi3最co1初ngo5我ji5以wai4為keoi5佢hai6係hou2好jan4人，dim2點zi1知jyun4原loi4來m4唔hai6係。

Initially I thought he was a good person, but it turns out he isn't.

nei5你zeoi3最co1初hai6係dim2點joeng2樣hok6學sik1識gong2講gwong2廣dung1東waa2話㗎？

How did you learn to speak Cantonese in the beginning?

Common phrases

zeoi3最co1初ge3嘅si4時hau6候

at the very beginning

zeoi3最co1初ge3嘅jan3印zoeng6象

first impression

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 頭先, which means just a moment ago. Use 最初 for the beginning of a long period, and use 頭先 for something that happened shortly before the current moment.