Japanese word

始まる

Pronunciation

Romajihajimaru

Meaning

  • verbstart

Example

試合が始まります。shi ai ga haji ma ri ma su

The game starts.

Illustration for 始まる (start)

More examples

授業が始まります。ju gyō ga haji ma ri ma su

The class starts.

ベルが鳴ると、授業が始まります。be ru ga na ru to ju gyō ga haji ma ri ma su

When the bell rings, class starts.

Core concept

Describes an event or activity entering its starting point without stating who causes it to start.

Common phrases

  • 始まる前にhaji ma ru mae ni

    before it starts

  • 始まったばかりhaji ma tta ba ka ri

    has just started

Similar words

始めるhajimeru: To make an event or activity begin.
開始するkaishisuru: To commence an event or activity, often in formal language.

Definition in Japanese

物事や出来事が開始される。mono goto ya de ki goto ga kai shi sa re ru

Word origin

始まる (hajimaru) is a native Japanese verb formed from the older verb 始む (hajimu, "to begin") in an intransitive form.

Usage tips

  • The English verb start covers both an event beginning and a person beginning something, but Japanese distinguishes these meanings with 始まる (hajimaru) and 始める (hajimeru).

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word