Vietnamese · Common Verbs
bắt đầu
To begin
Beginnerverb
Definition
To start doing something.
Example
Tôi bắt đầu làm việc lúc tám giờ.
I start work at eight.
Etymology
'Bắt đầu' derives from Vietnamese roots meaning 'to grasp' and 'to begin'. Its construction is indicative of action initiation, linked to many Vietnamese literary works reflecting beginnings.
How & Where It’s Used
Used formally and informally, 'bắt đầu' appears frequently in spoken Vietnamese and is common in writing. It does not differ significantly across regions.
Literary Heritage
Notable in modern literature and motivational texts, often used to signify new starts.