初めて・始めて・甫めて|はじめてhajimete[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
初めて初めて is the most common form and the recommended choice for beginners. It is written with kanji and kana, and is the form you are most likely to encounter.
始めて始めて is less common than 初めて and is also written with kanji and kana. You may encounter it as an alternative written form, but beginners should choose 初めて.
甫めて甫めて is rarely used and is written with kanji and kana. You will seldom encounter it, so beginners should use 初めて instead.
Definitions
- adverb, no-adjectivefor the first time
- adverbonly after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; not until ... do you ...after the -te form of a verb
- nounfirst time; (one's) first
Synonyms & antonyms
- RelatedついにNeutral「ついに」 is for something long awaited that finally happens — or never does. The same event can be 「10年目についに優勝」: 「ついに」 stresses reaching the outcome, 「初めて」 the first time.
- RelatedようやくNeutral「ようやく」 is for something that happens at last after much effort, with the strain of waiting. It can describe the same event as 「初めて」, but stresses how hard-won it was.
Use 「初めて」 for a first time. Use 「ついに」 or 「ようやく」 to stress that something long awaited has at last come about — 「ついに」 for the outcome finally reached, 「ようやく」 for how hard-won it was. All three can describe the same event; they differ in emphasis.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
