始: the kanji for begin and start
始 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means begin, start. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
始 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
始 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 9 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 開始かいし · kaishi | start |
| 年始ねんし · nenshi | beginning of the year |
| 始発しはつ · shihatsu | first train |
| 始終しじゅう · shijū | all the time |
| 原始げんし · genshi | primitive |
はじめる (hajimeru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 始めるはじめる · hajimeru | to begin (something) |
| 始めはじめ · hajime | beginning |
はじまる (hajimaru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 始まるはじまる · hajimaru | to begin |
| 始まりはじまり · hajimari | beginning; origin |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 会議は十時に始まります。Kaigi wa jūji ni hajimarimasu.The meeting begins at ten.
- それでは始めましょう。Sore de wa hajimemashō.Well then, let's begin.
- 年末年始は会社が休みです。Nenmatsu nenshi wa kaisha ga yasumi desu.The office is closed over the New Year holidays.
- 始発の電車で空港へ向かいます。Shihatsu no densha de kūkō e mukaimasu.I'll head to the airport on the first train.
- 去年から日本語の勉強を始めました。Kyonen kara Nihongo no benkyō o hajimemashita.I started studying Japanese last year.
- 工事は来月から開始します。Kōji wa raigetsu kara kaishi shimasu.The construction work starts next month.
Questions about 始
How many strokes does 始 have?
始 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 始?
The on readings are shi (シ). The kun readings are hajimeru (はじめる), hajimaru (はじまる).
What is 年末年始?
年末年始 (nenmatsu nenshi) is the New Year holiday period, usually from about December 29 to January 3. Many offices, banks and government services close during this time.
What JLPT level is 始?
N4. 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 N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Time and seasons
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 始
- 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.