当初 dāngchū at that time
at that time; originally
How to remember 当初: 当 act as + 初 beginning = at that time.
Characters
How it is used
- Back then / at that earlier time - looking back, often with hindsight: 早知如此,当初就不该来 (zǎo zhī rúcǐ, dāngchū jiù bù gāi lái) had I known, I shouldn't have come back then.
- Refers to a past decision-point, frequently tinged with regret or reflection.
- Contrast 现在/如今 (now); often pairs with 要是/早知道.
Example sentences
- 我当初要是买音乐会的票就好了。 Wǒ dāngchū yàoshì mǎi yīnyuèhuì de piào jiù hǎo le.I wish I had bought a ticket for the concert.
- 要不是当初有内战，他们现在应该挺富裕了。 Yàobúshì dāngchū yǒu nèizhàn, tāmen xiànzài yīnggāi tǐng fùyù le.If it had not been for civil war, they would be wealthy now.