How to Say "Beginning" in Japanese

始まり

hajimari[ha̠ʑima̠ɾʲi]

The Japanese word for "beginning" is 始まり (hajimari).

始まり is a noun used to describe the initial portion of some extended thing.

Meaning: initial portion of some extended thing (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

hajimari

In traditional Japanese theater, the 'beginning' of a performance is often marked by a specific rhythmic wooden clapper called a 拍子木.
In Japanese, the concept of 'beginning' is often linked to the verb 始まる, which is an intransitive verb meaning something begins on its own, whereas 始める is used when someone actively starts something.
Japanese has a unique word 書き出し for the 'beginning' of a piece of writing, specifically referring to the very first sentence or paragraph.

自分自身を信頼することが、すべての自信の始まりだ。
Believing in oneself is the beginning of confidence.
This sentence shows how to use 始まり to describe the start of an abstract quality like confidence.
Tatoeba #13178905 by Gardenia, translation #13459011 by move0423
伝説の始まり
Beginning of a legend
This sentence uses 始まり to describe the start of a legend.
Wiktionary
始まりの終わり
The end of the beginning
This sentence demonstrates the use of 始まり in the phrase "the end of the beginning".
Wiktionary
この本の初めには重要な情報があります。
There is important information at the beginning of this book.
彼との最初のデートはとても楽しかったです。
The first date with him was very enjoyable.
明日から新しい仕事を始める予定です。
I am planning to start a new job from tomorrow.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yota and Yui are talking about a movie they just watched.

陽太 Yota

映画の始まりからずっとドキドキしていたよ。
Eiga no hajimari kara zutto dokidoki shite ita yo.
I was nervous from the very beginning of the movie.
結衣 Yui

私も。展開が早くてびっくりしたね。
Watashi mo. Tenkai ga hayakute bikkuri shita ne.
Me too. I was surprised by how fast the plot moved.
陽太 Yota

物語の始まりは静かだったのにね。
Monogatari no hajimari wa shizuka datta noni ne.
Even though the beginning of the story was quiet.
結衣 Yui

そこがこの映画のいいところだと思うよ。
Soko ga kono eiga no ii tokoro da to omou yo.
I think that is what makes this movie great.

Sources

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