Japanese word

初歩

Pronunciation

Romajishoho

Meaning

  • nounbasics

Example

英語の初歩を学びます。ei go no sho ho o mana bi ma su

I learn the basics of English.

Illustration for 初歩 (basics)

More examples

この本では料理の初歩を説明します。ko no hon de wa ryō ri no sho ho o setsu mei shi ma su

This book explains the basics of cooking.

Core concept

Presents the foundation of a subject as the first stage from which more advanced knowledge and skills develop.

Common phrases

  • 初歩を学ぶsho ho o mana bu

    learn the basics

  • 初歩から学ぶsho ho ka ra mana bu

    learn from the basics

  • 初歩を身につけるsho ho o mi ni tsu ke ru

    master the basics

Similar words

基礎kiso: The underlying knowledge or skills on which more advanced learning depends.
基本kihon: The central facts, methods, or rules that must be learned first.
入門nyūmon: Basic instruction that gives a learner an initial understanding of a subject.
初級shokyū: A beginner level in a course, skill, or area of study.

Definition in Japanese

学問や技術などを学び始める際の基礎。gaku mon ya gi jutsu na do o mana bi haji me ru sai no ki so

Word origin

The compound 初歩 (shoho) joins 初 (sho, "first") with 歩 (ho, "step"), giving the sense of beginning with the basic steps of a field.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 初歩 (shoho) for the foundation of a subject, while 初心者 (shoshinsha) refers to a beginner, so 初歩 names the level or knowledge rather than the person.

Opposites

Related words

  • 初歩的shohotekielementaryna-adjective

Word lists with this word