冒頭|ぼうとうboutou[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounbeginning; opening; start; outset
   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.

• SynonymはじめNeutralThe most general word for a beginning (「年の初め」), covering both points in time and the start of things; 「冒頭」 is tied to texts and spoken events.
• Synonym最初さいしょNeutralEmphasises being first in order (「最初の一歩」); 「冒頭」 points to the opening part of a text or event rather than rank in a sequence.
• Synonym始まりはじまりNeutralFocuses on the moment something begins (「物語の始まり」); 「冒頭」 names the opening section of a document, speech or meeting.
• Synonym幕開けまくあけNeutralCurtain rising; figurative for the start of an era or event (「新時代の幕開け」), a metaphor 「冒頭」 does not carry.
• SynonymスタートNeutralLoanword for a start or launch, very common in speech (「新生活のスタート」); 「冒頭」 stays with the openings of texts and events.
• Synonym当初とうしょNeutralMeans 'at first, originally', contrasting with how things later turned out (「当初の予定」); 「冒頭」 is a position, not a contrast with later.
• Synonym書き出しかきだしNeutralThe opening passage of a piece of writing (「小説の書き出し」), also a bill or written claim; 「冒頭」 is not limited to written texts.
• Synonym出だしでだしCasualColloquial: the start or getting-underway of something (「出だしは好調」), often for races, games and songs. 「冒頭」 is for the opening of documents, speeches and meetings.
• SynonymしょっぱなCasualVery casual: right from the very start (「しょっぱなからミスした」); 「冒頭」 is neutral and used for the openings of texts and events.
• SynonymビギニングNeutralLoanword for a beginning, rarely used outside work titles; 「冒頭」 is the ordinary word for the opening of a text or event.
• Related初期しょきNeutralThe early stage of a period (「初期症状」); 「冒頭」 is the opening point of a text or event, not an extended phase.
• Related第一歩だいいっぽNeutralFirst step, often figurative (「成功への第一歩」); 「冒頭」 marks the opening of a text or event, not a step taken.
• Related序盤じょばんNeutralThe opening stages of a game or match (「試合の序盤」); 「冒頭」 is used for texts, speeches and meetings instead.
• Related初頭しょとうNeutralOnly for periods: the start of a century or era (「20世紀初頭」); 「冒頭」 belongs to texts and events, not dates.
• RelatedイントロCasualColloquial loanword for the intro of a song or talk (「曲のイントロ」); 「冒頭」 is the neutral word for the opening of a text or event.
• Related序文じょぶんNeutralA preface written before a book's main text (「序文を書く」); 「冒頭」 is the opening position of any text, speech or meeting, not a separate piece of writing.
• Related発端ほったんNeutralThe origin or trigger of an event (「事件の発端」), stressing the cause; 「冒頭」 is the opening part of a text or event.
• Related起源きげんNeutralThe origin or source of something (「生命の起源」), stressing roots; 「冒頭」 is the opening part of a text, speech or meeting.
• Related前置きまえおきNeutralRemarks made before getting to the main subject (「前置きが長い」); 「冒頭」 is the opening part itself, not preliminary talk.
• Related導入どうにゅうNeutralA noun for introducing or adopting something, or an introductory part (「新制度の導入」); 「冒頭」 only marks the opening of a text or event.
• Related原初げんしょWrittenWritten/formal prose for the most primal beginning (「原初の世界」); 「冒頭」 is the everyday word for the opening of a text or event.
• Related導入部どうにゅうぶNeutralThe introductory section of a work, mainly in music and literature; 「冒頭」 is the broader word for the opening of any text or event.
• RelatedイントロダクションNeutralLoanword for an introduction or opening remarks, mainly in lectures and works; 「冒頭」 simply names the opening part of a text or event.
• Related滑り出しすべりだしNeutralHow a start goes, mainly in business and racing (「好調な滑り出し」); 「冒頭」 just marks the opening of a text or event.
• Related序じょNeutralWritten as 「序」 it can also mean a preface, but modern 「ついで」 usually means 'while one is at it, an opportunity', far removed from the sense of beginning.
• Related幕開きまくあきNeutralSame meaning as 「幕開け」 — an opening or the start of an era or event — but slightly less common.
• Antonym末尾まつびNeutralThe end of a text, list or passage — the direct opposite of 「冒頭」.
• Antonym終盤しゅうばんNeutralThe final stage of a game or undertaking — the opposite of 「冒頭」.

Use 「冒頭」 for the opening of a document, speech or meeting (「冒頭で述べたように」). For beginnings in general say 「初め」 or 「最初」; 「出だし」 suits the start of a race or song, and 「書き出し」 the first lines of a text. For period openings pick 「初期」 or 「初頭」, for game openings 「序盤」, and for figurative launches 「幕開け」 or 「スタート」. The opposite of 「冒頭」 is 「末尾」.

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

1. その文ぶんや話はなしの始はじまりの出出でだし。
2. 物事ものごとの始はじめ。のっけ。単独たんどくで副詞ふくし的てき、他たの語句ごくと合あわせて副詞ふくし句く的てきにも用もちいられる。