How to say "outset" in Japanese

• 最初さいしょJLPT N4approx.Common
  no-adjective, adverbThe all-purpose word for the very beginning of anything — an event, activity, or period. It emphasizes firstness and covers 'at the outset' in most everyday contexts.
  その考かんがえは最初さいしょのうちはばかげているように思おもえた。↗

  The idea seemed absurd at first.
• はじめJLPT N5approx.Common
  noun, adverbA general, neutral word for the start or beginning of something — an activity, period, or event. Largely interchangeable with 最初, though it states 'the beginning' plainly rather than stressing 'the very first.'
  旅行りょこうの初はじめの二ふた日間かかんは雨降あめふりだった。↗

  The first two days of my trip were rainy.
• 当初とうしょCommon
  no-adjectiveThe outset of a plan, project, or undertaking, typically viewed in hindsight: 'initially,' 'at first.' Often implies a contrast between how things stood at the start and how they later turned out.
  その会合かいごうは当初とうしょの予定よていどおりに開催かいさいされた。↗

  The meeting was held as intended at the outset.
• 手始めてはじめCommon
  nounSeldom the word for 'at the outset' of something; it really means the first step or opening move in a series of actions — 'a start,' 'to begin with' — implying more will follow.
  手始てはじめは、三さん大だい宗教しゅうきょうの聖地せいち、エルサレムを訪おとずれることだった。↗

  For a start, I visited Jerusalem - a sacred place for three major religions.
• 冒頭ぼうとうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe opening of something that unfolds in sequence — a text, speech, letter, or performance. 'At the outset of his speech' takes this word, not the outset of a plan or undertaking.
  残のこっているのは冒頭ぼうとうの部分ぶぶんだけであった。↗

  All that was left was the opening.

Choose 最初 or 「はじめ」 for the start of anything in general, 当初 for the outset of a plan or undertaking, 冒頭 for the opening of a speech or text, and 「手始め」 only for a first step.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 最初さいしょbeginning
• はじめbeginning
• 当初とうしょbeginning
• 手始めてはじめoutset
• 冒頭ぼうとうbeginning
• 仕初めしぞめoutset
• 劈頭へきとうbeginning
• とっつきbeginning
• やりだしbeginning
• 草創期そうそうきinitial stages
• 序盤じょばんearly stages
• 振り出しふりだしstarting point
• 出鼻でばなoutset
• 出っ鼻でっぱなoutset
• ぶっつけbeginning
• 水端みずはなstart