Translation and Meaning of: 開始 - kaishi

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 開始 (かいし, kaishi). It is quite common in everyday life and in formal contexts, but what exactly does it mean? In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, translation, and practical use. Additionally, we will look at how this word is perceived in Japanese culture and tips for memorizing it effectively.

The meaning and translation of 開始 is "start" or "beginning".

開始 (かいし) is a noun and verb that means "start", "beginning", or "to initiate". It is often used in formal and everyday situations, such as in meetings, events, or even in instructions. For example, when a teacher says "授業を開始します" (じゅぎょうをかいしします), it means "we will start the class".

In Portuguese, the most direct translation would be "start" or "begin," depending on the context. The word carries a neutral tone, with no specific emotional connotations, making it applicable in both professional and informal settings. Its versatility makes it one of the first words that Japanese students learn.

The origin and writing of 開始

The kanjis that make up 開始 are 開 (open) and 始 (begin). Together, they reinforce the idea of starting something. The combination of these ideograms is not random – it follows the logic of the Japanese language of uniting radicals to form words with more specific meanings. The kanji 始, for example, appears in other terms such as 始まる (はじまる, to begin) and 始発 (しはつ, first train of the day).

It is worth noting that 開始 is a word of Chinese origin (kango), just like many others in modern Japanese. This type of vocabulary tends to be more formal and frequently appears in documents, manuals, and speeches. Its use dates back to the period when Japan incorporated Chinese terms into its language, especially during the linguistic reform of the 19th century.

How and when to use 開始 in daily life

Due to being a versatile word, 開始 appears in various contexts. In work environments, it's common to hear phrases like "会議を開始します" (かいぎをかいしします, "let's start the meeting"). In more informal situations, such as a game among friends, someone might say "ゲームを開始しよう" (ゲームをかいししよう, "let's start the game").

An interesting characteristic is that 開始 is more commonly used in planned or organized contexts, while words like 始まる (はじまる) can be used for more spontaneous beginnings. For example, a festival can "始まる" naturally, but an official ceremony is "開始される". This nuance is important for those who want to sound more natural when speaking Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

始まる (Hajimaru) - Start, initiate (passive)
スタートする (Sutāto suru) - Start, begin (in a more casual way)
起動する (Kidō suru) - Start, activate (commonly used for systems and devices)
着手する (Chakushu suru) - Start working on something, initiate an action
開く (Hiraku) - Open, become available
起こる (Okoru) - Happen, occur (usually related to events or incidents)
発生する (Hassei suru) - Occur, arise (usually used to describe events that happen suddenly)
設立する (Setsuritsu suru) - Establish, found (usually used in formal contexts such as companies or organizations)
開始する (Kaishi suru) - Start, begin (more formal)
始める (Hajimeru) - Start, initiate (active)
起こす (Okosu) - Make something happen, provoke (usually in relation to events or actions)
立ち上がる (Tachiagaru) - Get up, start acting (indicating an action of getting up or initiating a process)
手をつける (Te o tsukeru) - Get your hands on something, start working on
取りかかる (Torikakaru) - Start working on something, engage in activities
手を付ける (Te o tsukeru) - Start to deal with something, similar to "手をつける"
始動する (Shidō suru) - Start, get going (usually used for vehicles or machines)
着手する (Chakushu suru) - Start working on it, similar to "着手する"
開拓する (Kaitaku suru) - Pioneering, developing (usually in relation to new areas or ideas)
開始点 (Kaishiten) - Starting point, place to begin something
起点 (Kiten) - Starting point, similar to "開始点"
スタート (Sutāto) - Starting point, beginning (more casual form)
初め (Hajime) - Beginning, start (general, used for events)
起源 (Kigen) - Origin, the source from where something begins
発端 (Hotan) - Beginning, cause of an event (usually the start of something more complex)
原点 (Genten) - Origin point, coordinate origin, or reference
起動 (Kidō) - Activation, start (usually related to systems)
着手 (Chakushu) - Initial movement in a project or task
開始時刻 (Kaishi jikoku) - Start time, specific moment when something begins
始まり (Hajimari) - Beginning, start (in a more poetic or reflective context)
起動時刻 (Kidō jikoku) - Activation time, the exact moment when something is initiated.
開始前 (Kaishi mae) - Before the start, period that precedes the beginning
始動 (Shidō) - Activation, start, especially of machines or systems
始め (Hajime) - Beginning, introduction, used in a more general way
開始時間 (Kaishi jikan) - Time to start, scheduled time for the beginning of something