begin

begin — 動詞

1. to first appear or start taking place

1.動詞不及物A1
釋義

發生；開始

事情或狀態開始出現

to first appear or start taking place

例句

The concert began at seven after the crowd filled the hall.

人群擠滿大廳後，演唱會七點開始。

something begins at [time]

A small fire began in the kitchen while Mira washed dishes.

Mira 洗碗時，廚房裡突然起了小火。

同義詞
  • start

    the most general everyday word

  • happen

    focuses on an event taking place, not on the starting moment itself

  • appear

    fits best when something becomes noticeable or visible

反義詞
  • end

    describes something reaching its finish

  • stop

    describes something no longer continuing

文法句型

something begins

something begins at [time]

something begins when ...

用法筆記

Used for events, periods, feelings, relationships, and other things that come into being. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about something starting to exist or happen, not about a person starting an action.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting began from nine.
✅The meeting began at nine.
💡use at for a starting time.

2. to start an action, task, or project

2.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

著手；開始做

開始進行某動作或工作

to start an action, task, or project

例句

Noah began to read the letter on the bus home.

Noah 在回家公車上開始讀那封信。

begin to + verb

After lunch, the team began building the stage for the play.

午餐後，團隊開始搭戲劇用的舞台。

begin + -ing form

同義詞
  • start

    the usual everyday choice and slightly more informal

  • undertake

    more formal and often used for difficult work or responsibility

  • launch

    often used when something new is started in a public or organized way

反義詞
  • finish

    focuses on reaching the end of the action

  • quit

    focuses on stopping before or without finishing

文法句型

begin to do something

begin doing something

begin something

用法筆記

Common with both to + verb and the -ing form, especially in speech and writing. It can also take a direct object when you mean starting a task, project, business, or other planned activity.

常見錯誤

❌I began to my report after dinner.
✅I began my report after dinner.
💡use a noun object after begin, not to + noun.
❌Nina began write at six.
✅Nina began to write at six.
💡use to before the verb in this pattern.

3. to say your first words after being silent

3.動詞不及物B1
釋義

開口；說道

開始說話或發言

to say your first words after being silent

例句

After the bell rang, Ms. Wu began, 'Please open your books.'

鐘聲一響，吳老師就開口說：「請把書打開。」

begin + direct speech

After a long pause, Daniel began, 'I need to tell the truth.'

沉默很久後，Daniel 終於開口說：「我得說實話。」

begin in a ... voice

同義詞
  • start

    works in many of the same situations, but begin is a little more neutral in written narrative

  • speak up

    emphasizes starting to speak, often after silence

  • open

    often used for starting a speech, meeting, or remark in a formal setting

反義詞
  • stop

    describes ending the speech or remarks

  • fall silent

    describes becoming quiet instead of starting to speak

文法句型

someone begins, '...'

begin in a ... voice

用法筆記

Often used when introducing direct speech, a speech, a story, or first remarks. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 is about starting any activity, while this sense focuses on opening your speech or speaking turn.

常見錯誤

❌She began to us about the trip.
✅She began to tell us about the trip.
💡begin needs a full speaking verb such as tell or explain in this pattern.

4. to have a particular thing as the opening part

4.動詞不及物B1
釋義

以…開始

第一部分是某內容

to have a particular thing as the opening part

例句

The lesson begins with a song about animals.

這堂課以一首動物歌開始。

begin with + first part

Her email began with an apology to the whole team.

她那封信一開頭就是向全組道歉。

同義詞
  • start with

    the everyday equivalent

  • open with

    common for books, films, speeches, or performances

  • lead with

    often suggests choosing something as the opening move

反義詞
  • end with

    describes the final part instead of the first part

文法句型

something begins with something

用法筆記

Usually followed by with and names the first scene, sentence, item, or activity inside something. Distinguish from sense 5, which gives the point, place, time, or number where something starts.

常見錯誤

❌The film begins from a dream scene.
✅The film begins with a dream scene.
💡use with for the first part inside something.

5. to start from a particular place, time, number, or level

5.動詞不及物B1
釋義

起於；始於

從某地點時間或數字開始

to start from a particular place, time, number, or level

例句

The road begins at the bridge near the post office.

這條路起於郵局旁的那座橋。

begin at + place

Summer vacation begins in July at this school.

這所學校的暑假始於七月。

begin in + month

同義詞
  • start at

    the most direct everyday pattern for a point or level

  • start from

    common when the starting point is a place or lower limit

  • run from

    used for ranges, especially times, pages, or numbers

反義詞
  • end at

    gives the finishing point instead of the starting point

  • end in

    gives the finishing time or period instead of the beginning

文法句型

something begins at [point]

something begins in [time]

something begins from [place]

用法筆記

Often followed by at, in, or from with places, times, prices, and numbers. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense tells you where or when the starting point is, not what comes first.

常見錯誤

❌The class begins with 8:30.
✅The class begins at 8:30.
💡use at for a starting time.