Japanese word

始め

Pronunciation

Romajihajime

Meaning

  • nounbeginning

Example

授業の始めに先生が話します。ju gyō no haji me ni sen sei ga hana shi ma su

The teacher speaks at the beginning of class.

Illustration for 始め (beginning)

More examples

学年の始めに新しい先生に会います。gaku nen no haji me ni atara shi i sen sei ni a i ma su

I meet a new teacher at the beginning of the school year.

会議の始めに、今日の予定を確認します。kai gi no haji me ni kyō no yo tei o kaku nin shi ma su

At the beginning of the meeting, we confirm today's schedule.

Core concept

Marks the point where an event or activity starts, including its earliest part.

Common phrases

  • 始めにhaji me ni

    at the beginning

  • 始めからhaji me ka ra

    from the beginning

  • 月の始めtsuki no haji me

    the beginning of the month

  • 年の始めnen no haji me

    the beginning of the year

Similar words

始まりhajimari: The point or time when an event or activity starts.
初めhajime: The first part or earliest time of an event or period.
開始kaishi: The formal start of an event, activity, or process.

Definition in Japanese

物事や行動が始まる時点、またはその最初の部分。mono goto ya kō dō ga haji ma ru ji ten ma ta wa so no sai sho no bu bun

Word origin

The noun 始め (hajime, "beginning") is formed from the verb 始める (hajimeru, "to begin") by turning its stem into a noun.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 始め (hajime) commonly points to the start of an action, while 初め (hajime) more often points to an earliest time or first occasion.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word