Word: 始 (shǐ) 始 dictionary entry shǐ to begin; to start; then; only then Full dictionary entry for 始 Example sentences using 始 3 sentences, showing page 1 of 1. 人生识字忧患始 rénshēng shízì yōuhuàn shǐ in life, worries begin when one learns to read 他的行为由始至终都是对的。 Tā de xíngwéi yóu shǐ zhì zhōng dōu shì duì de. His action throughout was correct. 善说不如善做，善始不如善终 shàn shuō bùrú shàn zuò, shàn shǐ bùrú shànzhōng being good at talking is not as good as being good at doing; a good start is not as good as a good finish