初: the kanji for first; beginning
初 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means first; beginning. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
初 is written in 7 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
初 has 6 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 3 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ショ (sho)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 最初さいしょ · saisho | the very first |
はじめて (hajimete)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 初めてはじめて · hajimete | for the first time |
はつ (hatsu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 初雪はつゆき · hatsuyuki | first snow |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 最初の質問から答えます。Saisho no shitsumon kara kotaemasu.I will answer starting from the first question.
- 初めて日本に来ました。Hajimete Nihon ni kimashita.I came to Japan for the first time.
- 今年の初雪は十二月でした。Kotoshi no hatsuyuki wa jūnigatsu deshita.This year's first snow was in December.
- 最初は緊張したが、慣れてきた。Saisho wa kinchō shita ga, narete kita.I was nervous at first, but I got used to it.
- 初めて作った料理にしては上手です。Hajimete tsukutta ryōri ni shite wa jōzu desu.It's well made for the first dish I've ever cooked.
Questions about 初
How many strokes does 初 have?
初 is written in 7 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 初?
The on readings are sho (ショ). The kun readings are hajime (はじめ), hajimete (はじめて), hatsu (はつ), ui (うい), someru (そめる).
What JLPT level is 初?
N3. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Time and sequence
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 初
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.