はじめ・始め・初めhajime[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
始め始め is a kanji-and-kana spelling ranked ahead of 初め among these two forms, although the word is usually written in kana alone.
初め初め is a kanji-and-kana spelling ranked below 始め, but it is the recommended choice for beginners; the word is also usually written in kana alone.
Definitions
- noun, adverbbeginning; start; outset; opening
- nounfirst (in line, etc.)esp. 初め
- nounoriginesp. 始め
- nounsuch as ...; not to mention ...esp. 始め; as 〜を始め, 〜を始めとして, etc.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym始まりはじまりNeutralA noun for the moment something starts or its origin, as in 「戦争の始まり」.
- Synonym最初さいしょNeutralThe very first in a sequence, as in 「最初の日」; stresses order rather than the act of starting.
- SynonymスタートCasualLoanword for starting or setting off, as in 「スタートを切る」; leans colloquial.
- Synonym冒頭ぼうとうWrittenThe opening of a text, speech, meeting or ceremony, as in 「冒頭で述べた」「会議の冒頭」; more formal than the everyday 始め.
- Synonym開始かいしWrittenA formal start, as in 「試合開始」; typical of announcements and procedures.
- Synonym開幕かいまくWrittenThe opening of a performance or event, as in 「開幕戦」; written/formal prose with a ceremonial feel.
- Synonym発足ほっそくWrittenAn organization or system formally getting under way, as in 「新内閣が発足する」; written/formal prose.
- Synonym起点きてんWrittenThe starting point of a route or undertaking, as in 「起点となる駅」; written/formal prose.
- Synonym序の口じょのくちCasualOnly the very start, with far more still to come, as in 「これはまだ序の口だ」; colloquial.
- Synonym真っ先まっさきNeutralFirst of all, ahead of everyone else, as in 「真っ先に駆けつける」; stresses being the earliest to act.
- Synonym当初とうしょWrittenAt first, originally, often contrasted with what came later, as in 「当初の予定」; written/formal prose.
- Synonym原初げんしょWrittenA written word for the most primal beginning, as in 「原初の世界」.
- SynonymオリジンCasualLoanword for an origin or source; rare in daily use, seen mostly in titles.
- SynonymビギニングCasualLoanword for a beginning, mostly in titles of works; not used in everyday speech.
- Related初期しょきNeutralThe early stage of a period, as in 「初期症状」; stresses a stretch of time rather than the start itself.
- Related第一歩だいいっぽNeutralThe first step taken, a metaphor for the launch of an undertaking, as in 「成功への第一歩」.
- Related序盤じょばんNeutralThe early phase of a game, match, story or event, as in 「序盤戦」「物語の序盤」; 始め refers to the beginning in general.
- Related入り口いりぐちNeutralA physical entrance, by extension the entry stage of an activity, as in 「研究の入り口」.
- Related幕開けまくあけNeutralThe unveiling of a new era or event, as in 「新時代の幕開け」; carries a sense of occasion.
- Related根源こんげんWrittenThe most fundamental source of something, as in 「諸悪の根源」; stresses the root, written/formal prose.
- Related起源きげんWrittenThe origin of a thing, as in 「生命の起源」; common in academic contexts.
- Related起こりおこりNeutralThe cause or origin of a matter, as in 「事の起こり」.
- Related発端ほったんWrittenThe start of an incident, as in 「事件の発端」; used when narrating how events unfolded.
- Related源みなもとWrittenA river's source or the root of something, as in 「力の源」; has a literary feel.
- RelatedキックオフCasualA kickoff, also a metaphor for launching a project, as in 「キックオフミーティング」; colloquial loanword.
- Related出だしでだしCasualThe opening part of an undertaking or a song, as in 「出だしは好調」; colloquial.
- Antonym終わりおわりNeutralThe opposite of 始め: the end or finish of something.
- Antonym最後さいごNeutralOpposes the order sense of 始め: the last one or the tail end.
Default to 「始め」 for a start or beginning. Pick 「最初」 for first in order, 「冒頭」 for the opening of a text, speech or meeting, 「開始」 for a formal start, 「発足」 for an organization or system launching, 「起源」 and 「根源」 for origins, and 「終わり」 for the end. Loanwords like 「スタート」 are colloquial; 「冒頭」「開始」「発足」 lean formal.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
English equivalents
See also
