始める・創める|はじめるhajimeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
始める始める（はじめる） is the most common form and the form beginners should normally use when writing this word.
創める創める（はじめる） is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter or need to choose this written variant.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto start; to begin; to commence; to initiate; to originate
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto start up (a business, society, etc.); to open (e.g. a store); to establish
- auxiliary verb, ichidan verbto start ...; to begin to ...after the -masu stem of a verb
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 始める（はじめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 始めます（はじめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 始めない（はじめない） |
| polite (masen) | 始めません（はじめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 始めず・始めぬ（はじめず・はじめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 始めた（はじめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 始めました（はじめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 始めなかった（はじめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 始めませんでした（はじめませんでした） |
| Te form | 始めて（はじめて） |
| Potential | 始められる（はじめられる） |
| Passive | 始められる（はじめられる） |
| Causative | 始めさせる（はじめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 始めさせられる（はじめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 始めれば（はじめれば） |
| tara | 始めたら（はじめたら） |
| Volitional | 始めよう（はじめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 始めましょう（はじめましょう） |
| Imperative | 始めろ（はじめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
授業を始める
始まる (intransitive) emphasizes that an event begins on its own or without specifying an agent, while 始める (transitive) focuses on a person deliberately starting something.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym開始かいしWrittenWritten/formal Sino-Japanese word for a formal start, common in announcements and procedures, as in 「試合開始」.
- SynonymスタートCasualLoanword for a start or the start of a race; common in speech, as in 「スタートする」.
- Synonym始動しどうWrittenWritten/formal: a machine starting up or a project getting under way, as in 「エンジンの始動」.
- Synonym着手ちゃくしゅWrittenTo set to work on a task, as in 「工事に着手する」; leans formal.
- Synonym発足ほっそくWrittenWritten/formal: an organization or system formally starting up, as in 「新内閣が発足する」.
- Synonym始業しぎょうWrittenWritten/formal: the start of the day's work or of a school term, as in 「始業式」.
- Synonym創始そうしWrittenWritten/formal: to originate or found something, as in 「創始者」; stresses being the first to start it.
- Synonym開幕かいまくWrittenWritten/formal: the opening of a performance or event, with a ceremonial feel, as in 「シーズン開幕」.
- Synonym仕掛けるしかけるNeutralTo start something, or to set a device or trap in place, as in 「罠を仕掛ける」.
- Synonym取り掛かるとりかかるNeutralTo get down to a task, as in 「仕事に取り掛かる」.
- Synonymし始めるしはじめるNeutralLiterally 「する」 plus 「始める」: to begin doing something, as in 「勉強をし始める」. 「始める」 takes the object directly, as in 「勉強を始める」.
- SynonymしだすCasualColloquial: to start doing something; also to make food and deliver it to customers. 「始める」 is more common and lacks that second sense.
- SynonymやりだすCasualColloquial: to start doing something with a casual, offhand feel, as in 「急に掃除をやり出す」.
- SynonymおっぱじめるCasualSlang: to suddenly set about something, with a rough or impatient nuance.
- Synonymやり始めるやりはじめるNeutralTo start doing something, focusing on the point where the action begins; common in speech.
- Related発動はつどうWrittenWritten/formal: exercising a power or putting a measure into operation, as in 「拒否権を発動する」.
- Related起動きどうWrittenWritten/formal: starting up a computer or machine, as in 「パソコンを起動する」.
- Related乗り出すのりだすWrittenWritten/formal: to set out actively on a new venture, as in 「海外市場に乗り出す」.
- Related踏み出すふみだすWrittenWritten/formal: to take the first step toward something new, as in 「新たな一歩を踏み出す」.
- Related始まるはじまるNeutralIntransitive: something begins, as in 「授業が始まる」. 「始める」 is transitive, taking a person, organization, or machine as subject.
- Related仕掛かるしかかるNeutralSomething has been started but is not yet finished; not much used, mostly as 「仕掛かり品」 for work in progress.
- Antonym終えるおえるWrittenAntonym of 「始める」: to finish or bring to an end what one has been doing. Written/formal.
- AntonymしまうNeutralAntonym of 「始める」: to wind up or finish something, or to put it away.
For starting an action, the default transitive verb is 「始める」; when something simply begins, use 「始まる」. For formal starts, 「開始」 fits announcements and procedures. To set to work, use 「着手」 or 「取り掛かる」; for machines, 「始動」 or 「起動」; for an organization's launch, 「発足」. Colloquial variants like 「し出す」「やり出す」 add a casual tone, and 「終える」 is the antonym for finishing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
