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月初 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
月初yuèchūstart of monthHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #43807, Very Hard
月初yuèchūearly in the monthHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #43807, Very Hard
yuèchū(yue4chu1)yue chu T4
  1. 1start of month
  2. 2early in the month
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March 24, 2026

月初yuèchū(yue4chu1)

月初 refers to the beginning of the month, typically the first few days. It is commonly used in both written and spoken contexts, especially in planning or discussing events that occur in the early part of the month.

Strokes11Frequency#43807DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the start of the month is often associated with new beginnings and is a time for setting goals and intentions, which is reflected in the lunar calendar's significance during festivals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a new moon appearing in the sky at the start of the month. The character 月 (yue) looks like a crescent moon, while 初 (chu) suggests 'beginning.' Together, they symbolize the fresh start that each month brings.

Meanings of 月初

yuèchū(yue4chu1)
1start of month
2early in the month
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About 月初

月初Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 月初

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Podcast: 月初

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AI Study Notes for 月初

Quick Contrast

月初 (beginning of the month) vs 月底 (end of the month) — use 月初 when referring to the early days of the month, not the late ones.

Usage Notes

月初 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in written language. Be careful to not confuse it with 月底 (yue4 di3), which means 'end of the month.' Remember to use the correct tone for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

月初 is useful for learners at HSK Level 2, as it relates to time expressions. Focus on using it in sentences that discuss plans or activities in the early part of the month to build practical vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget to use the correct measure word when mentioning a specific month, saying '五月初' (wu3 yue4 chu1) instead of correctly saying '在五月初' (zai4 wu3 yue4 chu1). Additionally, mixing up tones can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 月初

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Component Characters

月yuèmoon
HSK 14 strokes月
View full entry
初chūat first
HSK 57 strokes刀
View full entry

How to say start of month in Chinese

“start of month” in Chinese is月初yuèchū

月初 refers to the beginning of the month, typically the first few days. It is commonly used in both written and spoken contexts, especially in planning or discussing events that occur in the early part of the month.

When to use 月初

月初 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in written language. Be careful to not confuse it with 月底 (yue4 di3), which means 'end of the month.' Remember to use the correct tone for clarity.

月初 or something close to it

月初 (beginning of the month) vs 月底 (end of the month) — use 月初 when referring to the early days of the month, not the late ones.

What learners get wrong

Learners often forget to use the correct measure word when mentioning a specific month, saying '五月初' (wu3 yue4 chu1) instead of correctly saying '在五月初' (zai4 wu3 yue4 chu1). Additionally, mixing up tones can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 月初

月
初

Practice writing 月初 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 月初

You can say '我们在月初开会' (We will have a meeting at the beginning of the month).

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