はじめに・初めに・始めにhajimeni

1. expressionfirst; firstly; first of all; to begin with; in the beginning; at the beginning
   いいえ、はじめに９番ばんにおかけ下ください。↗

   No, please dial nine first.
2. expressionIntroduction; Prefaceas the section heading of a book, etc.

• Synonym最初さいしょNeutralPoints to the very beginning in time (「最初の日」), stressing temporal order; 「初めに」 is mostly for opening a speech or piece of writing.
• SynonymまずNeutralAn adverb meaning first (「まず手を洗う」); the most common choice in speech.
• Synonym第一だいいちNeutralMeans first or foremost (「健康第一」); also used adverbially to introduce a first point.
• SynonymまずもってWrittenA written, formal expression meaning first of all (「まずもってお礼申し上げます」), used mostly in formal addresses.
• RelatedもとよりWrittenWritten and formal; means from the start or naturally (「もとより承知」); it does not mark sequence.
• Related元来がんらいWrittenWritten and formal; means originally or essentially (「元来の性格」); it does not mark sequence.
• RelatedもともとNeutralMeans originally or from the start (「もともと好きだった」); common in speech.
• Antonym終わりにNeutralMeans at the end or as a closing; the opposite of 「初めに」.
• Antonym最後にNeutralMeans lastly, at the end; the opposite of the 'first of all' sense of 「初めに」.

Use 「初めに」 to open a speech or piece of writing (「初めに自己紹介します」); it also serves as a book's preface. For everyday actions say 「まず」; for the earliest point in time say 「最初」. The opposites are 「最後に」 and 「終わりに」.

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

1. 最初さいしょに、あるいはまず第だい一いちに、物事ものごとを述のべる際さいに用もちいる。
2. 本ほんや文章ぶんしょうの冒頭ぼうとうに置おかれ、内容ないようを紹介しょうかいする部分ぶぶん。