Japanese dictionary
How to say "begin" in Japanese
始めるはじめる · hajimeru
"Begin" in Japanese is 始める (hajimeru) when someone begins something, and 始まる (hajimaru) when something begins.
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Ways to say "begin" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 始めるはじめる · hajimeru | To begin (something). You start it. |
| 始まるはじまる · hajimaru | To begin. Something starts. |
| 開始するかいしする · kaishi suru | To begin; to start. Formal. |
How to use it
Use を with 始める: 会議を始めます (I'll begin the meeting). Use が with 始まる: 会議が始まります (the meeting begins).
Add 始める to a verb stem for "begin to": 雨が降り始めました (it began to rain).
Example sentences
- それでは会議を始めます。Sore de wa kaigi o hajimemasu.Let's begin the meeting.
- 映画は七時に始まります。Eiga wa shichiji ni hajimarimasu.The movie begins at seven.
- 去年から日本語を習い始めました。Kyonen kara Nihongo o naraihajimemashita.I began learning Japanese last year.
- 新しいサービスを来月開始します。Atarashii sābisu o raigetsu kaishi shimasu.We'll launch the new service next month.
- 雨が降り始めました。Ame ga furihajimemashita.It began to rain.
- 授業は何時に始まりますか。Jugyō wa nanji ni hajimarimasu ka.What time does class begin?
Kanji in this word
Questions
What is the difference between 始める and 始まる?
始める (hajimeru) takes an object with を: someone begins something. 始まる (hajimaru) uses が: something begins by itself.
How do you start a meeting in Japanese?
Say それでは始めます (sore de wa hajimemasu) or それでは会議を始めさせていただきます for a more formal meeting.
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