Translation and Meaning of: 始める - hajimeru

The word 「始める」 (hajimeru) is frequently used in the Japanese language to describe the action of starting or beginning something. This word is fundamental in daily communication, especially when it comes to marking the start of events, tasks, or activities. It often appears in various expressions and is an essential part of the Japanese vocabulary.

Etymologically, 「始める」 has its roots in Chinese characters, the kanji. The kanji 「始」 is composed of the radical 「女」 (onna), which means woman, and the phonetic part 「台」 (dai), which by itself does not carry a specific meaning. The combination of these elements forms the meaning of to start or to begin. The suffix 「める」 (meru) is a verbal form that indicates action, transforming the word into a transitive verb.

The historical origin of the use of 「始める」 dates back to ancient times, having evolved and solidified in the Japanese language over the centuries. In Japan's cultural roots, the concept of starting something new is often linked to new cycles, changes of seasons, and spiritual renewal, something reflected in the daily and ceremonial use of the word.

Moreover, 「始める」 unfolds into various verbal forms and contexts, such as 「始まる」 (hajimaru), which is an intransitive form of the verb indicating that something begins without a direct subject acting upon it. This illustrates the richness of the Japanese language and how nuances are important for the correct understanding of meanings. The use of 「始める」 in sentences can indicate the beginning of habits, projects, or even conversations, highlighting the importance of the word in social and professional dynamics.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 開始する (kaishi suru) - Start, begin a process or event.
• 起動する (kidou suru) - Activate, start a device or program.
• スタートする (sutāto suru) - Start, often used in contexts of competition or events.
• 設立する (setsuritsu suru) - Establishing, founding an institution or company.
• 立ち上げる (tachiageru) - To raise, to initiate something new, such as a project or venture.

始める

Romaji: hajimeru
Kana: はじめる
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: start

Meaning in English: to start;to begin

Definition: Start doing something.

Example Sentences - (始める) hajimeru

See below some example sentences:

始めることは成功への第一歩です。

Hajimeru koto wa seikou e no daiichi ho desu

Starting is the first step towards success.

Starting is the first step to success.

• 始めること - começo
• は - Topic particle
• 成功への - towards success
• 第一歩 - First step
• です - Verb to be/estar

乗り換えることは新しい冒険を始めることです。

Norikae suru koto wa atarashii bouken o hajimeru koto desu

Changing trains is like starting a new adventure.

The transfer is starting a new adventure.

• 乗り換える - means "to change means of transport" or "to make a connection"
• こと - is a particle that indicates that the previous word is a noun and that it is being used as the subject of the sentence
• は - é uma partícula que indica o tópico da frase
• 新しい - means "new"
• 冒険 - means "adventure"
• を - it is a particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 始める - It means "Begin"
• こと - again the particle that indicates the noun used as the topic of the sentence
• です - it is a particle that indicates that the sentence is a statement

作業を始める前に計画を立てることが重要です。

Sagyō o hajimeru mae ni keikaku o tateru koto ga jūyō desu

It is important to do a plan before you start work.

It is important to plan before you start working.

• 作業 (sagyō) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 始める (hajimeru) - start
• 前に (mae ni) - before
• 計画 (keikaku) - plan
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 立てる (tateru) - make
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 重要 (jūyō) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

零から始めよう。

Rei kara hajimeyou

Let's start from scratch.

Let's start from zero.

• 零 (rei) - zero
• から (kara) - from
• 始め (hajime) - start/begin
• よう (you) - let's

始めはいつも緊張するものです。

Hajime wa itsumo kinchou suru mono desu

Start always causes nervousness.

I'm always nervous at first.

• 始めは (hajime wa) - começo/começar
• いつも (itsumo) - always
• 緊張する (kinchou suru) - get nervous/tension
• ものです (mon desu) - It is something that happens/is common.

この二つの会社は合同して新しいプロジェクトを始めます。

Kono futatsu no kaisha wa gōdō shite atarashii purojekuto o hajimemasu

These two companies start a new project together.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 二つ - numeral meaning "two"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 会社 - noun meaning "company"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 合同して - compound verb meaning "to unite" or "to come together"
• 新しい - adjective meaning "new"
• プロジェクト - noun meaning "project"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 始めます - verb meaning "to begin"

初歩から始めましょう。

Hajime kara hajimemashou

Let's start from the basics.

Let's start from the beginning.

• 初歩 (shoho) - means "basic" or "fundamental"
• から (kara) - It means "from."
• 始めましょう (hajimemashou) - means "let's get started"

新しい冒険を始めよう。

Atarashii bouken wo hajimeyou

Start a new adventure.

• 新しい - new
• 冒険 - aventura
• を - direct object particle
• 始めよう - let's start

直後に雨が降り始めた。

Chokugo ni ame ga furihajimeta

Right after

Immediately after it starts to rain.

• 直後に - Imediatamente após
• 雨が - rain
• 降り始めた - began to fall