自始至终

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: zì shǐ zhì zhōng
• English Translation: From beginning to end (from start to finish)
• Idiom Composition: 「自」（From (indicating the starting point)）＋「始」（The beginning or start）＋「至」（To or until (indicating the end point)）＋「终」（The end or finish）
• Meaning: Refers to the entire duration of an event or process, from the very start to the very end, often emphasizing that a state or attitude remained consistent throughout.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「自始至终」 contains the following nuances:

• Full Temporal Scope: It covers the entire span of an event from the 'start' to the 'goal' without any interruption.
• Emphasis on Continuity: Beyond just measuring time, it often implies that a specific state, quality, or behavior did not waver or change during that period.

3. Usage

「自始至终」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Consistency of Attitude: Used to describe a person's attitude or the atmosphere of a place that remains unchanged throughout an event.
  • Example:「虽然遇到了很多困难，但他自始至终都保持着乐观的态度。」
    （Despite encountering many difficulties, he maintained an optimistic attitude from beginning to end.）
• Duration of a Process: Used to explain that a certain situation persisted during the entire course of a meeting, match, or project.
  • Example:「这场会议自始至终都在讨论预算问题，没有涉及其他议题。」
    （This meeting was focused on budget issues from start to finish, without touching on any other topics.）
• Continuous Involvement: Used to emphasize that someone was (or was not) involved in or aware of a situation for its entire duration.
  • Example:「对于这件事，我自始至终都不知情。」
    （Regarding this matter, I was kept in the dark from beginning to end.）

Additional Examples:

1. 那部电影自始至终都很无聊，我差点睡着了。
   （That movie was boring from start to finish; I almost fell asleep.）
2. 他自始至终没有说一句话，只是默默地听着。
   （He didn't say a single word throughout, just listened silently.）
3. 我们要自始至终贯彻安全第一的原则。
   （We must implement the 'safety first' principle from beginning to end.）
4. 这场比赛自始至终都充满了悬念。
   （This match was full of suspense from start to finish.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Usage: This is a very common idiom used in both written and spoken Chinese, making it a highly practical phrase for learners.
• Structure: The idiom uses the classical Chinese structure of 自 (zì) [from] ... 至 (zhì) [to], which gives it a more formal and balanced feel than modern vernacular phrases.
• Nuance: While it is synonymous with 从头到尾 (cóng tóu dào wěi), which literally means 'from head to tail,' 自始至终 (zì shǐ zhì zhōng) is preferred in professional, academic, or literary contexts.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 从头到尾 (cóng tóu dào wěi): From head to tail; from start to finish (more colloquial).
  • 始终如一 (shǐ zhōng rú yī): Consistent from beginning to end (usually referring to a person's character or attitude).
  • 一如既往 (yī rú jì wǎng): Just as in the past; as before; as always.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi): To give up halfway; to leave something unfinished.link
  • 虎头蛇尾 (hǔ tóu shé wěi): Tiger's head, snake's tail; to start with great energy but end with a weak effort.

6. Summary

自始至终 (zì shǐ zhì zhōng) is a standard idiom used to describe something that occurs or remains unchanged throughout a specific period. It is a versatile expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it sounds slightly more polished than the colloquial 从头到尾 (cóng tóu dào wěi).