dāngchū: 当初 - Originally, At that time, Back then

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• Summary: Learn how to use “当初” (dāngchū), a crucial Chinese word that means “originally” or “back then.” More than just a time word, “当初” is used to look back at the beginning of a situation, often with a sense of regret, nostalgia, or contrast with the present. This guide will teach you the difference between “当初” and “以前” (yǐqián) and how to use it to express complex feelings about the past.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dāngchū
• Part of Speech: Noun (Time word) / Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Refers to the very beginning of a specific period or event, often used to contrast that initial state with the current reality.
• In a Nutshell: “当初” is the word you use when you're looking back at the start of something and thinking about how things have changed. It's not just “in the past”; it's “back at the start of it all.” It's packed with the emotion of hindsight. Think of it as the perfect word to begin a sentence that ends with “…I should have done things differently,” or “…things were so much simpler then.”

• 当 (dāng): This character means “at” a certain time or place, or “to serve as.” It helps to pinpoint a specific moment. Think of it as setting the scene.
• 初 (chū): This character means “beginning,” “initial,” or “first.” It's composed of 衤 (clothing radical) and 刀 (knife), originally depicting the cutting of cloth to make the first piece of clothing.

The two characters combine to literally mean “at the beginning.” This perfectly captures the word's function: to transport the listener back to the starting point of an event or relationship to reflect on it from the present.

“当初” carries a significant cultural weight tied to the concept of hindsight (事后诸葛亮 - shìhòu Zhūgéliàng) and reflection. In many Chinese narratives, both personal and fictional, there is a strong emphasis on past decisions and their unfolding consequences. “当初” is the linguistic tool for this reflection. In Western culture, we might say, “If only I had known then what I know now…” or “Hindsight is 20/20.” “当初” encapsulates this entire sentiment in a single word. It’s not just a neutral time marker like “in 2005.” It's a storytelling device that immediately signals to the listener that a contrast between the past and present is coming, often tinged with regret, “what ifs,” or sweet nostalgia. This frequent use reflects a cultural value of learning from the past and acknowledging the profound impact of initial choices.

“当初” is extremely common in everyday conversation, movies, and song lyrics.

• Expressing Regret: This is one of its most common uses. It's the classic setup for a sentence about a past mistake.
• Expressing Nostalgia: It can be used to talk about the “good old days” or the sweet beginning of a relationship, contrasting a simpler past with a more complicated present.
• Storytelling and Explanation: It's used to set the scene by explaining the original situation or intention before describing how things developed or went wrong.

Its connotation can be negative (regret) or positive (nostalgia), but it's almost always emotional and reflective. It is suitable for both informal conversations and more formal, written narratives.

• Example 1:
  • 我真后悔，当初没听你的建议。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhēn hòuhuǐ, dāngchū méi tīng nǐ de jiànyì.
  • English: I really regret not listening to your advice back then.
  • Analysis: A classic example of “当初” used to express regret. It pinpoints the moment of the decision (“back then”) as the source of the current regret.
• Example 2:
  • 当初我们都没想到，公司会发展得这么快。
  • Pinyin: Dāngchū wǒmen dōu méi xiǎngdào, gōngsī huì fāzhǎn de zhème kuài.
  • English: In the beginning, none of us expected the company would develop so quickly.
  • Analysis: Here, “当初” establishes the initial state of expectations, creating a strong contrast with the surprising success of the present.
• Example 3:
  • 想想当初我们认识的时候，真有意思。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎngxiang dāngchū wǒmen rènshi de shíhou, zhēn yǒuyìsi.
  • English: Thinking about the time when we first met, it was really interesting.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses “当初” for nostalgia. It looks back fondly at the beginning of a relationship.
• Example 4:
  • 你当初为什么选择来这个城市工作？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dāngchū wèishéme xuǎnzé lái zhège chéngshì gōngzuò?
  • English: Why did you originally choose to come to this city to work?
  • Analysis: A neutral, inquisitive use. The speaker is asking about the initial reason for a major life decision, implying that things might have changed since then.
• Example 5:
  • 当初要不是你帮我，我肯定失败了。
  • Pinyin: Dāngchū yàobushì nǐ bāng wǒ, wǒ kěndìng shībài le.
  • English: If you hadn't helped me back then, I definitely would have failed.
  • Analysis: This is a hypothetical statement about the past, used to express gratitude. “当初” frames the critical moment where the help was given.
• Example 6:
  • 他已经忘了当初的梦想。
  • Pinyin: Tā yǐjīng wàngle dāngchū de mèngxiǎng.
  • English: He has already forgotten his original dream.
  • Analysis: “当初” emphasizes the “original” or “initial” dream, contrasting it with his current state. It implies a sense of loss or compromise over time.
• Example 7:
  • 当初的计划很简单，但是后来情况变得很复杂。
  • Pinyin: Dāngchū de jìhuà hěn jiǎndān, dànshì hòulái qíngkuàng biànde hěn fùzá.
  • English: The original plan was very simple, but later the situation became very complicated.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of using “当初” to set up a direct contrast with “后来” (hòulái - later on).
• Example 8:
  • 早知今日，何必当初。 (A common idiom)
  • Pinyin: Zǎo zhī jīnrì, hébì dāngchū.
  • English: If I had known it would end up like this, why did I even start? (Literally: “Early know today, why must in the beginning.”)
  • Analysis: This is a famous Chengyu (idiom) that perfectly captures the essence of “当初”. It's a powerful expression of deep regret about a past action.
• Example 9:
  • 这房子当初很便宜，现在价格涨了三倍。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fángzi dāngchū hěn piányi, xiànzài jiàgé zhǎng le sān bèi.
  • English: This house was very cheap originally, now the price has tripled.
  • Analysis: A practical example showing a clear contrast between a past state (“originally”) and the present.
• Example 10:
  • 我当初就不应该相信他。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ dāngchū jiù bù yīnggāi xiāngxìn tā.
  • English: I shouldn't have trusted him in the first place.
  • Analysis: The phrase “就不应该” (jiù bù yīnggāi - just shouldn't have) is often paired with “当初” to express strong regret about a foundational mistake.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 当初 (dāngchū) and 以前 (yǐqián).

• 以前 (yǐqián): A general term for “before” or “in the past.” It's neutral and refers to any time in the past. It doesn't pinpoint the “beginning” of an event.
  • Correct: 我以前住在美国。(Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Měiguó.) - I used to live in the US. (A general fact).
  • Incorrect: 我当初住在美国。(Wǒ dāngchū zhù zài Měiguó.) - This sounds strange unless you are about to tell a story contrasting your initial experience in the US with what happened later.
• 当初 (dāngchū): Specific to “the beginning” of a particular event, decision, or period. It almost always sets up a contrast or an emotional reflection.
  • Correct: 我当初来美国的时候，一个朋友都没有。 (Wǒ dāngchū lái Měiguó de shíhou, yí ge péngyou dōu méiyǒu.) - When I first came to the US, I didn't have a single friend. (This sets up a story about how things have changed).

Common Mistake: Using “当初” for a simple, factual past event.

• Incorrect: 恐龙当初生活在地球上。(Kǒnglóng dāngchū shēnghuó zài dìqiú shàng.)
• Why it's wrong: This sentence discusses a general historical fact, not the beginning of a specific, personal story or event with a contrasting outcome.
• Correct Version: 恐龙以前生活在地球上。(Kǒnglóng yǐqián shēnghuó zài dìqiú shàng.)

• 以前 (yǐqián) - “Before” or “in the past.” A broader, more neutral term. `当初` is a specific kind of `以前`.
• 当时 (dāngshí) - “At that time,” “then.” Refers to a specific moment in the past that was just mentioned, while `当初` refers to the entire initial phase.
• 起初 (qǐchū) - “At first,” “in the beginning.” A close synonym, but often used more neutrally to mark the first step in a sequence of events. `当初` tends to carry more emotional weight.
• 原来 (yuánlái) - “Originally,” “as it turns out.” Can mean “originally” like `当初`, but `原来` often implies a realization or discovery of a truth you didn't know before.
• 后来 (hòulái) - “Later on,” “afterwards.” The natural antonym to `当初`. Sentences often start with `当初` and then use `后来` to describe the change.
• 后悔 (hòuhuǐ) - “To regret.” The feeling that is very often expressed in sentences using `当初`.
• 想当年 (xiǎng dāngnián) - “To think back on those years.” A phrase used for reminiscing, similar in nostalgic feeling to `当初`.