始める
hajimeru[ha̠ʑime̞ɾɯ̟]transitive
In Japanese, to start can be expressed in several ways. The default form is 始める (hajimeru). Wiktionary also lists 開始する (kaishi suru) and 始まる (hajimaru).
Meaning: to begin (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 始める | hajimeru | [ha̠ʑime̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) | transitive |
| 開始する | kaishi suru | ||
| 始まる | hajimaru | [ha̠ʑima̠ɾɯ̟] (narrow) | intransitive |
Which one should you use?
始める is a transitive verb used when a subject starts an action or an object. In contrast, 始まる is an intransitive verb used when something starts on its own or is the subject of the starting. For more technical, official or formal contexts, 開始する is used to mean 'to commence' or 'to initiate'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
English speakers often mistakenly use the transitive 始める when they mean the intransitive 始まる (e.g., saying 'I start' instead of 'It starts').
How do you pronounce it?
hajimeru
Did you know?
- The kanji for both common forms, 始, contains the radical for 'woman' (女) at the bottom, hinting at ancient associations with birth or the beginning of life.
- In Japanese martial arts like Judo or Karate, the command to 'start' is often 始め (hajime), which is the stem form of 始める.
- The word 開始する is composed of two characters meaning 'beginning' and 'opening', creating a nuance of 'unlocking' a process.
Examples in context
- いつ始まるの？When does it start?This sentence is useful for asking when an event or activity will begin using 始まる.Tatoeba #4836745 by Ako, translation #1125757 by CM
- 何時に始まるの？What time does it start?This sentence is useful for asking about the specific time an event begins using 始まる.Tatoeba #187440 by bunbuku, translation #24572 by CK
- 授業が始まるぞ。Class is about to start.This sentence is useful for stating that a class is about to begin using 始まる.Tatoeba #10911461 by small_snow, translation #10911463 by CK
- プロジェクトを開始しますWe will start the project.
- 研究に着手しましたI started the research.
- 映画が始まるThe movie is starting.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Himari and Ren are discussing their study group.
- 陽葵 Himariいつ勉強を始める？Itsu benkyou o hajimeru?When are we going to start studying?
- 蓮 Ren今から始めるよ。Ima kara hajimeru yo.I'll start right now.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮君、準備はいい？Ren-kun, junbi wa ii?Ren, are you ready?
- 蓮 Renうん、準備できたよ。Un, junbi dekita yo.Yes, I'm ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “start” translations and entries 始める, 始まる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
