第一歩|だいいっぽdaiippo[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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- nounfirst step
- SynonymはじめNeutralThe beginning or start of something, as in 「初めの一歩」; 「第一歩」 highlights the first step taken toward a goal.
- Related最初さいしょNeutralThe broadest term for the very beginning or outset of something; 「第一歩」 highlights the action of stepping toward a goal.
- Related始まりはじまりNeutralThe start or origin of something, as in 「物語の始まり」; 「第一歩」 highlights the first step taken toward a goal.
- Related発端ほったんWrittenWritten style for the cause or origin of an event, as in 「事件の発端」; 「第一歩」 is about setting out into action.
- Related原初げんしょWrittenWritten style for the most primal starting point of something; 「第一歩」 highlights the first step taken toward a goal.
- RelatedスタートNeutralLoanword for starting or taking off, as in 「新生活スタート」; 「第一歩」 focuses on the first step itself.
- RelatedオープニングNeutralLoanword for the opening of an event or an opening theme song; 「第一歩」 is the first step taken toward a goal.
- Related冒頭ぼうとうNeutralThe opening of a piece of writing or a speech, as in 「冒頭で述べる」; 「第一歩」 is about setting out into action.
- Related出だしでだしNeutralHow something goes at the very start, as in 「出だしは好調」; 「第一歩」 focuses on taking the first step of a new venture.
- Related滑り出しすべりだしNeutralHow a venture gets off the ground in its opening phase, as in 「滑り出し上々」; 「第一歩」 is the first step taken toward a new undertaking.
- Related序開きじょびらきWrittenWritten and rare, for the beginnings or origins of something; everyday speech says 「始まり」; 「第一歩」 is about taking action.
- RelatedしょっぱなCasualColloquial for the very start or right off the bat, as in 「しょっぱなから失敗」; 「第一歩」 leans formal.
- Related嚆矢こうしWrittenWritten style for the first instance or forerunner of something, as in 「〜の嚆矢となる」; 「第一歩」 is more everyday.
- Antonym最終段階さいしゅうだんかいNeutralAntonym on the start-versus-finish axis: the final stage of a process, where 「第一歩」 marks the outset.
- Antonym終着点しゅうちゃくてんNeutralAntonym on the starting-point-versus-endpoint axis: the final destination, opposite to 「第一歩」.
Use 「第一歩」 for the first step toward a goal or a new venture, as in 「夢への第一歩」. For how something starts out, pick 「出だし」 or 「滑り出し」; for the cause of an event, 「発端」; for the opening of a text or speech, 「冒頭」; for the first of its kind, 「嚆矢」. The opposite of 「第一歩」 is 「終着点」, the final destination.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


