自始至终

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: zì shǐ zhì zhōng
• English Translation: From beginning to end, consistently throughout
• Idiom Composition: 「自」（From）＋「始」（Beginning）＋「至」（To, until）＋「终」（End）
• Meaning: Describes something continuing uninterruptedly from the very beginning to the very end. It emphasizes consistency and continuity.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「自始至终」 contains the following nuances:

• Complete continuity: Emphasizes something continuing fully and without interruption from start to finish.
• Consistency: Indicates that attitudes, actions, or states remain unchanged from beginning to end.
• Wholeness: Represents a perspective that comprehensively covers an entire process or period.

3. Usage

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

• Continuity of state: Used to express that a certain state continues unchanged from beginning to end.
  • Example:「他自始至终都保持着微笑，给人留下了深刻的印象。」
    （He kept smiling throughout and left a deep impression on people.）
• Consistency of actions: Used to indicate that certain actions or attitudes remain consistent from start to finish.
  • Example:「尽管遇到了困难，但她自始至终都没有放弃。」
    （Although she faced difficulties, she never gave up from beginning to end.）
• Describing the entire process: Used when describing the entire course of an event or project.
  • Example:「在整个项目中，团队成员自始至终都保持着高度的热情和专注。」
    （Throughout the entire project, the team members maintained high enthusiasm and focus from start to finish.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这部电影自始至终都充满了悬念，让人目不转睛。
   （This movie is full of suspense from beginning to end, keeping viewers glued to the screen.）
2. 他自始至终都坚持自己的观点，没有被外界的声音所动摇。
   （He stuck to his own viewpoint throughout and was not swayed by outside opinions.）
3. 这次会议自始至终都很顺利，没有出现任何问题。
   （This meeting went smoothly from start to finish without any problems.）
4. 无论遇到什么情况，他都自始至终保持冷静，沉着应对。
   （No matter the situation, he remained calm and composed throughout.）
5. 她对这个项目的贡献是自始至终的，我们都非常感谢她。
   （Her contribution to this project was consistent from beginning to end, and we are all very grateful.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Emphasis on 'having a beginning and an end': In traditional Chinese culture, the value of '有始有终' (completing what one starts) is highly regarded. The idiom '自始至终' reflects this cultural background.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 始终如一 (shǐ zhōng rú yī): Consistent from beginning to end, unchanging throughout.
  • 始终不渝 (shǐ zhōng bù yú): Unchanging from start to finish, showing firm loyalty or determination.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi): To give up halfway, to quit before completion.
  • 虎头蛇尾 (hǔ tóu shé wěi): A strong start but a weak finish; losing momentum towards the end.

6. Summary

'自始至终' is a versatile idiom expressing complete continuity and consistency from the beginning to the end of something. Rooted in the traditional Chinese value of 'having a beginning and an end,' it can be used in various contexts.