COMPONENTS & ETYMOLOGY
How 始 is built
Traditional etymology note: 女 (woman) suggests the meaning, while 台 suggests the pronunciation.
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How to Write 始 (shǐ) — Chinese Character Stroke Order, Meaning & Practice Sheet
to begin
shǐTone 3 (Dipping)Let your pitch fall, then rise.
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STROKE BY STROKE
Static stroke diagrams
Follow all 8 strokes in the correct order.
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StrokeSheetCharacter Writing Worksheet
shǐ
始
to begin
Common words
kāi shǐ
开始
to begin; beginning; to start; initial
shǐ zhōng
始终
from beginning to end; all along
yuán shǐ
原始
first; original; primitive; original (document etc)
chuàng shǐ rén
创始人
creator; founder; initiator
zì shǐ zhì zhōng
自始至终
from start to finish (idiom)
Follow the stroke order, then write it on your own.
始
始
始
始
始
始
始
始
LEARNING TIP
Remember 始
Say “shǐ” aloud as you replay the animation. Then hide the model and write the 8 strokes from memory. Short, repeated practice builds a stronger visual and motor connection.
Practice on CanvasWORDS WITH 始
Common words and phrases
kāi shǐ
to begin; beginning; to start; initial
shǐ zhōng
from beginning to end; all along
yuán shǐ
first; original; primitive; original (document etc)
chuàng shǐ rén
creator; founder; initiator
zì shǐ zhì zhōng
from start to finish (idiom)
IN CONTEXT
Example sentences
这个字是“始”。
Zhège zì shì “shǐ”.
This character is “始”.
我正在学习“始”字。
Wǒ zhèngzài xuéxí “shǐ” zì.
I am learning the character “始”.
请写一遍“始”。
Qǐng xiě yí biàn “shǐ”.
Please write “始” once.
Frequently asked questions
How many strokes are in 始?
始 is written with 8 strokes.
What does 始 (shǐ) mean?
始 (shǐ) means to begin.
What is the radical of 始?
The radical of 始 is 女, associated with Not yet classified.