How to say "commence" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 始めるはじめるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'commence' in the sense of beginning an activity or undertaking that you carry out yourself. This is the ordinary transitive choice: use it when you start or begin work, a task, or a project.
- 始まるはじまるgodan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'commence' for the thing that begins: the intransitive counterpart of 始める, used when an event, meeting, or activity starts or gets under way.
- 仕掛けるしかけるichidan verb, transitive verbSeldom the word you want for plain 'commence': it really means to set something in motion or initiate it as a deliberate move, often an action directed at a person or thing.
- 興すおこすgodan verb, transitive verbFits 'commence' only in the sense of launching or establishing something, such as a company or venture; it is about founding and building up, not about beginning an activity.
Choose 「始める」 to commence an activity yourself and 「始まる」 when something begins; 「仕掛ける」 is for setting something in motion, while 「興す」 fits only launching or establishing a venture.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
