Japanese word

始発

Pronunciation

Romajishihatsu

Meaning

  • nounfirst train

Example

始発は六時です。shi hatsu wa roku ji de su

The first train is at six.

Illustration for 始発 (first train)

More examples

早朝の試験に間に合うように、始発で出かけます。sō chō no shi ken ni ma ni a u yō ni shi hatsu de de ka ke ma su

I leave on the first train so that I can arrive in time for the early-morning exam.

Core concept

Refers to the first departure available from a station or stop during the day's regular service.

Common phrases

  • 始発に乗るshi hatsu ni no ru

    take the first train

  • 始発に間に合うshi hatsu ni ma ni a u

    catch the first train

  • 始発で行くshi hatsu de i ku

    go on the first train

Similar words

初電shoden: The earliest train departing from a station during the day's regular service.
初便hatsubin: The first scheduled service of a route, often by bus or boat.

Definition in Japanese

一日の運行で最初に出発する列車やバスなどの便。ichi nichi no un kō de sai sho ni shup patsu su ru res sha ya ba su na do no bin

Word origin

The compound 始発 (shihatsu) joins 始 (shi, "beginning") with 発 (hatsu, "departure") to mean the beginning departure of the day.

Usage tips

  • A route can have a 始発 (shihatsu) for trains and another one for buses, so the word is broader than "first train."

Other meanings

  • first busnoun
  • first departurenoun

Opposites

  • 終発shūhatsulast departurenoun

Word lists with this word