Japanese dictionary
How to say "first" in Japanese
最初さいしょ · saisho
"First" in Japanese is 最初 (saisho) for the beginning, 一番 (ichiban) for number one, and 初めて (hajimete) for the first time.
▶ plays native audio. Audio on this site plays when you are logged in to your free japanese.ccn.jp account (the same account as Japanese Talk by CCN).
Ways to say "first" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 最初さいしょ · saisho | First; the beginning. |
| 一番いちばん · ichiban | First; number one; most. |
| 初めてはじめて · hajimete | For the first time. |
| まずまず · mazu | First (of all). |
How to use it
"First, ..." at the start of a list is まず (mazu).
"Nice to meet you" is はじめまして (hajimemashite), from the same root as 初めて.
Example sentences
- 日本は初めてです。Nihon wa hajimete desu.This is my first time in Japan.
- 最初に自己紹介をします。Saisho ni jiko shōkai o shimasu.First, I'll introduce myself.
- まず、資料をご覧ください。Mazu, shiryō o goran kudasai.First, please look at the materials.
- 一番前の席に座りました。Ichiban mae no seki ni suwarimashita.I sat in the front row.
- 最初は日本語が全然わかりませんでした。Saisho wa Nihongo ga zenzen wakarimasen deshita.At first, I didn't understand Japanese at all.
- はじめまして。スミスです。Hajimemashite. Sumisu desu.Nice to meet you. I'm Smith.
Questions
What is the difference between 最初 and 初めて?
最初 (saisho) means the first or the beginning of something. 初めて (hajimete) means for the first time, as in 初めて来ました (I came for the first time).
How do you say "first floor" in Japanese?
The first floor (ground floor) is 一階 (ikkai). Japan counts floors like the United States.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.