‘初稿’ literally means 'first draft' — ‘初’ (chū) means 'initial', 'first', or 'beginning', and ‘稿’ (gǎo) means 'draft', 'manuscript', or 'written composition'. Together, they refer specifically to the earliest completed version of a written work — such as an essay, article, report, or novel — before any substantial revision or editing. It emphasizes the provisional, unpolished nature of the text.

This term is commonly used in academic, professional, and creative writing contexts. Students submit a 初稿 to their teacher for feedback; editors review a writer’s 初稿 before requesting revisions; and authors often keep track of multiple versions, labeling the earliest as the 初稿. Unlike informal notes or outlines, a 初稿 is expected to be a coherent, full-length draft with clear structure and content — though it may still contain errors, gaps, or rough phrasing.