Meaning and Usage
The word '애초' refers to the very beginning or the initial point of something. It is often used to emphasize that something was decided, planned, or true from the start.
Common Contexts
'애초' is frequently used in expressions like '애초에' (from the very beginning) or '애초부터' (from the start). These phrases highlight that the situation or intention was set early on, often implying that later developments were predictable or avoidable.
Collocations and Patterns
- 애초에 + verb: emphasizes that the action or state was true from the start.
- 애초부터 + verb: similar to 애초에 but often stresses the starting point more strongly.
- 애초에 말하지 않다: to not say something in the first place.
Register and Nuance
'애초' is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It often carries a nuance of regret or criticism when used to point out that something should have been handled differently from the beginning.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '애초' with '처음' (the first time) or '처음부터' (from the first time). While similar, '애초' stresses the original intention or plan, not just the chronological first occurrence.