从…入手
to start with; to tackle (a problem) by way of
Structure
(要/得/不妨) 从 切入点 入手
What it means
‘Start with, tackle by way of’: names the point where you begin working on a problem, usually the key one.
How it is built
(要/应该/得/不妨) + 从 + starting point + 入手: 学一门外语,不妨从最常用的词入手 (you might as well start with the commonest words).
When to use it
Neutral to formal, common in advice and analysis: 从细节入手, 从源头入手. 着手 + verb (5-16) is ‘set about doing’ (着手调查); 入门 (2-13) is ‘get started in a subject’. Online, 入手 alone means ‘buy’.
Watch out
Keep 从 and put no object after 入手: ✗种子入手 ✗入手种子 ✓从种子入手.
Examples
要想多挣钱,还得先从种子入手。
If you want to earn more, you have to start with the seed.
学一门外语,不妨从最常用的词入手。
When learning a foreign language, you might as well start with the commonest words.
治理污染要从源头入手,光靠事后罚款是不够的。
Tackling pollution means starting at the source; fines after the event are not enough.
Learn this in Lesson 173 · HSK 7–9: 寿光的大棚 (The greenhouses of Shouguang)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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