Usage of 当初
当初 is a time adverb meaning "at that time" or "originally." It is often used to refer back to the initial situation or plan before changes or developments occurred. It carries a slightly formal tone and is common in both spoken and written Chinese.
Common contexts
- Referring to initial thoughts or beliefs: 当初我以为...
- Talking about original plans or intentions: 当初的计划
- Contrasting past expectations with later outcomes
Collocations and patterns
- 当初 + verb phrase: to indicate what was thought or planned at that time
- 当初 + 的 + noun: to specify the original thing or situation
Nuances
Using 当初 implies a reflection on how things have changed since that time. It often appears in narratives or explanations where the speaker wants to highlight a difference between past and present.
Common confusion
Don't confuse 当初 with 现在 (now) or 当时 (at that moment). 当初 emphasizes the original or initial time frame, often with a sense of hindsight.