begin

/bɪˈɡɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [bɪɡˈɪn] /bɪˈɡɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [bɪɡˈɪn] /bi-ˈgin bē-/ (ame, mw)

begin — 動詞

  • beginpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • beginshe / she / it
  • beganpast simple
  • begunpast participle
  • beginning-ing form

1. used when an event, a season, or a situation starts to occur or appears for the

1.動詞不及物A1
釋義

開始；啟動

事件或過程開始發生

used when an event, a season, or a situation starts to occur or appears for the first time.

例句

The opening ceremony of the games will begin at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.

比賽的開幕式將在明天早上九點開始。

begin + adverb of time for event start

Snow began to fall heavily after midnight, covering the roads in white.

午夜過後，雪開始下得很大，把道路都覆蓋成白色。

同義詞
  • start

    more common in everyday conversation; almost interchangeable

  • commence

    much more formal, usually in official or ceremonial contexts

  • get underway

    informal phrasal expression, often for events or projects

反義詞
  • end

    the opposite point in time

  • finish

    the completion of an event

  • stop

    to no longer continue

文法句型

begin + (no object)

begin + to-infinitive (of events)

用法筆記

The subject is typically an event noun (meeting, show, construction) or a natural phenomenon (rain, snow). Passive voice is uncommon for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting will begin from 9 am.
✅The meeting will begin at 9 am.
💡use 'at', not 'from', with a specific clock time.

2. used when a person begins performing an action or starts working on a task.

2.動詞及物 / 不及物A1
釋義

開始；著手

開始執行某個行動或活動

used when a person begins performing an action or starts working on a task.

例句

Mia began learning Japanese when she was eight years old.

Mia 八歲的時候就開始學日文。

begin + -ing form for starting an activity

The team began to build the wooden shelves shortly after lunch.

午飯後不久，團隊就開始搭建木頭架子。

begin + to-infinitive for the first step of a task

同義詞
  • start

    almost always interchangeable with begin for actions

  • get started on

    more informal, common in spoken English

  • set about

    slightly more formal, implies determination

反義詞
  • stop

    to cease doing something

  • quit

    to give up an activity

  • finish

    to complete an activity

文法句型

begin + to-infinitive

begin + -ing form

常見錯誤

❌I began to studied English at age ten.
✅I began to study English at age ten.' or 'I began studying English at age ten.
💡after 'begin to' use the base form of the verb, not past tense.

3. when someone starts to speak, especially after a pause or at the start of a conv

3.動詞不及物A2
釋義

開口；發言

開始說話或發言

when someone starts to speak, especially after a pause or at the start of a conversation or presentation.

例句

Liang began his speech by thanking everyone who had helped him.

Liang 開口先感謝所有幫助過他的人，然後開始演講。

begin + possessive + speech noun for starting to speak

The old man cleared his throat and began to tell his life story.

老人清了清喉嚨，開始講述他的人生故事。

同義詞
  • start speaking

    more direct, less literary

  • open

    used for formal talks or presentations ('She opened with a joke')

反義詞

文法句型

begin + speech noun

begin + by + -ing form

begin + quote

用法筆記

Often used with a quote or an explanation of what was said. The object can be a noun like 'speech', 'talk', or 'story'.

常見錯誤

❌He began speaking that he was tired.
✅He began by saying that he was tired.
💡when introducing what someone said, use 'begin by saying/explaining/asking'.

4. used when a particular element, person, or thing comes first in a sequence, list

4.動詞及物A2
釋義

始於；起於

以某事物作為第一部分或起點

used when a particular element, person, or thing comes first in a sequence, list, or process.

例句

The German word for "hello" begins with the letter G.

德文的「你好」是以字母 G 開頭的。

begin with + letter/number for first element

The festival began with a colorful parade through the main street.

慶典始於一場穿過主要街道的熱鬧遊行。

同義詞
  • start with

    the most common alternative; fully interchangeable

  • open with

    common for events, performances, or documents

反義詞

文法句型

begin with + noun / noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'with' or 'as'. 'Begin with' introduces the first element; 'begin as' introduces an initial role or state ('He began as a junior clerk').

常見錯誤

❌The book begins from Chapter One.
✅The book begins with Chapter One.
💡use 'with', not 'from', to introduce the first part.

5. to bring something into existence by creating, founding, or establishing it as a

5.動詞及物B1
釋義

創立；開創

發起或創立新的事物

to bring something into existence by creating, founding, or establishing it as a new entity.

例句

My great-grandfather began the family bakery in a small mountain village.

我曾祖父在一個小山村裡創辦了家族麵包店。

begin + noun (business) for founding something

The students began a recycling program at their high school last year.

學生們去年在高中創立了一個回收計劃。

同義詞
  • found

    more formal; specifically for organizations or institutions

  • start

    fully interchangeable in most contexts

  • establish

    more formal, implies a solid foundation

  • launch

    suggests a public or energetic beginning, often for products or campaigns

反義詞
  • close down

    to stop operating a business or organization

  • disband

    to break up a group or organization

文法句型

begin + noun (company, tradition, practice)

用法筆記

Common objects are 'business', 'company', 'tradition', 'practice', 'movement', or 'program' — nouns that describe something lasting, not a one-time action.

常見錯誤

❌They began the meeting in 1995.' (if you mean they started the company)
✅They began the company in 1995.
💡use a lasting-entity object (company, tradition) not a one-time event (meeting) for this sense.

6. appears only with a negative word (such as can't or doesn't) to emphasize that s

6.動詞不及物B2
釋義

絲毫不；無法

用於否定句，強調完全沒有或做不到

appears only with a negative word (such as can't or doesn't) to emphasize that something does not happen at all, or that no serious attempt is made.

例句

I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful we are for your kindness.

我完全無法告訴你我有多感激你的好意。

negative: can't even begin + to-infinitive for emphasis

The asking price of this apartment does not begin to reflect its true value.

這間公寓的開價完全沒有反映出它的真實價值。

does not begin + to-infinitive for 'not even close'

同義詞

文法句型

can't even begin + to-infinitive

doesn't begin + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Only appears in negative constructions, most often 'cannot even begin + to-infinitive' or 'does not begin + to-infinitive'. Affirmative uses cannot express this meaning. The 'even' adds emphasis but is optional.

常見錯誤

❌I begin to understand the problem.' (for emphasis)
✅I cannot even begin to understand the problem.
💡without 'cannot', the meaning changes to sense 2 (starting to understand), not the emphatic negative sense.