初步 chūbù initial
initial; preliminary; tentative
How to remember 初步: 初 beginning + 步 a step = initial.
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How it is used
- Adjective/adverb meaning preliminary, first-stage - 初步计划 (chūbù jìhuà) a preliminary plan, 初步了解 (chūbù liǎojiě) a first, rough understanding.
- Signals that the result is tentative and open to revision, not final; often paired with 达成 (dáchéng), 取得 (qǔdé): 初步取得成果 got preliminary results.
- Contrast with 基本 (jīběn, basically/essentially), which claims near-completeness; 初步 explicitly flags 'only a start'.