“To begin” in Japanese is 始める (はじめる), pronounced hajimeru.
Pronunciation
The word has 4 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To begin something (transitive). Things that start by themselves use 始まる. はじめまして comes from the same root.
Example sentences
- 日本語の勉強を始めました。にほんごのべんきょうをはじめました。I started studying Japanese.
- 授業は九時に始まります。じゅぎょうはくじにはじまります。Class starts at nine.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 始める. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 始める はじめる | begin |
| Polite present | 始めます はじめます | begin |
| Polite negative | 始めません はじめません | don’t begin |
| Polite past | 始めました はじめました | past of “begin” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 始めない はじめない | don’t begin (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 始めた はじめた | past of “begin” (casual) |
| て-form | 始めて はじめて | begin and… / please begin (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 始めたい はじめたい | want to begin |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to begin in Japanese?
To begin in Japanese is 始める (はじめる), pronounced “hajimeru”.
How do you write to begin in Japanese?
It's written 始める with kanji, or はじめる in hiragana. Both are read hajimeru.
Is 始める on the JLPT?
Yes. 始める (hajimeru) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.