开头 (kāitóu) literally combines 开 (kāi, 'to open') and 头 (tóu, 'head'), evoking the image of the 'head' or 'front part' of something — hence its core meaning: 'beginning' or 'start'. As a noun, it refers to the initial part of an event, text, speech, or process — for example, the first paragraph of an essay or the opening minutes of a meeting. It emphasizes position in sequence rather than time alone.

As a verb, 开头 means 'to begin' or 'to start', often used in formal or literary contexts, or when initiating an action with intention — such as 开头发言 (to begin speaking) or 开头写信 (to begin writing a letter). It’s less common in casual speech than verbs like 开始 (kāishǐ) or 开动 (kāidòng), but remains frequent in written Chinese, storytelling, and structured communication.