The Meaning of hatsu, hajime [初] In Japanese

初
はつ, はじめ
Romaji: hatsu, hajime N5

What does 初 mean?

Translation and Meaning

first, beginning, initial, early

Definition

What does 初 mean? It denotes the first or earliest point in time or sequence, signaling the start of something; used to describe the initial state or an introductory phase, often forming compounds that emphasize beginnings or early stages.

Type

prefix (kanji)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Indicates the first or earliest in a sequence or time, as in 初夏, 初期
  • Conveys the sense of beginnings or early stages in compounds like 初心, 初歩
  • Used to express ‘for the first time’ in phrases such as 初めて
  • Frames discussions of origins, beginnings, or inaugurations in literature and science

Etymology

The kanji 初 shows phonetic evolution in Sino-Japanese readings; on’yomi shō/jō arise from Middle Chinese, while kun readings hatsu/hajime reflect native usage and semantic meaning of ‘beginning’.

Origin

Borrowed from Chinese with kanji adoption, first integrated into Japanese writing during the early centuries of kanji introduction, where it appeared in classical texts and later expanded in everyday and formal usage.

Composition

Initial kanji meaning is itself: 初 conveys beginning or first; when used in compounds it supplies the sense of initiation or early phase, as in 初夏 (early summer) or 初心者 (beginner).

Usage

Primarily in written and formal contexts, commonly as a root or prefix in compounds to denote early or initial stages, such as 初夏, 初期, 初心者; standalone use is rare in casual speech and tends to appear in set phrases or titles.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a seed just breaking ground—the very first moment of growth is 初; link 初 with ‘first’ and ‘beginning’ whenever you see it in words like 初夏 or 初心者.

Variations

  • 最初 (saisho) — the very first, initial
  • 初めて (hajimete) — for the first time
  • 初期 (shoki) — initial stage
  • 初心 (shoshin) — beginner’s mind
  • 早期 (sōki) — early period
  • Antónimos: 終わり (owari) — end, 最後 (saigo) — last

Example Phrases

  • 今日は 初めての 自転車 整備 体験 に 参加した。
    Kyou wa hajimete no jitensha seibi taiken ni sanka shita.
    Today I participated in my first bicycle maintenance experience.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyou wa) – today
    • 初めての (hajimete no) – first-time
    • 自転車 (jitensha) – bicycle
    • 整備 (seibi) – maintenance
    • 体験 (taiken) – experience
    • に (ni) – to
    • 参加した (sanka shita) – participated
    初 refers to ‘first’ and appears in 「初めての」 meaning ‘for the first time’.
  • 昨日 図書室で 文学の本を 初めて 借りてみました。
    Kinou toshoshitsu de bungaku no hon o hajimete karite mimashita.
    Yesterday at the library, I borrowed a literature book for the first time.
    Lista:
    • 昨日 図書室で 文学の本を 初めて 借りてみました (Kinou toshoshitsu de bungaku no hon o hajimete karite mimashita) – Yesterday at the library, I borrowed a literature book for the first time.
    核心は「で」で場所を示し、動作を試す意味の「〜てみました」 の組み合わせです。語としての 「文学」 は この文の 対象を指します。
  • 今日は海で潜水を初めて体験してみた。
    Kyou wa umi de sensui o hajimete taiken shite mita.
    Today I tried diving in the sea for the first time.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyou wa) – today
    • 海で (Umi de) – in the sea
    • 潜水を (Sensui o) – diving
    • 初めて (Hajimete) – for the first time
    • 体験して (Taiken shite) – experiencing
    • みた (Mita) – tried
    潜水 is a noun meaning ‘diving’; here it is the object of 体験する, shown as 「潜水」を体験する meaning ‘to experience diving’. The pattern 体験してみた uses the te-form plus みる to express ‘tried doing’.
  • 初対面の 彼女は 無口 だけど、 笑顔で 頷く。
    shotaimen no kanojo wa mukuchi dakedo, egao de unazuku.
    The girl I just met is quiet, but nods with a smile.
    Lista:
    • 初対面の (shotaimen no) – of first meeting
    • 彼女は (kanojo wa) – she
    • 無口 (mukuchi) – reticent
    • だけど、 (dakedo,) – but,
    • 笑顔で (egao de) – with a smile
    • 頷く。 (unazuku.) – nods.
    「無口」はな形容動詞として機能します。日常会話では「無口だけど」で結びます。
  • 初対面の場で恥をかかないよう、深呼吸をした。
    Shotaimen no ba de haji o kakanai you, shinkokyuu o shita.
    I took a deep breath to avoid embarrassment in a first meeting.
    Lista:
    • 初対面の場で (shotaimen no ba de) – in a first meeting
    • 恥を (haji o) – embarrassment
    • かかないよう (kakanai you) – to avoid embarrassment
    • 深呼吸を (shinkokyuu o) – a deep breath
    • した (shita) – did
    In this sentence, 「恥」 is the noun meaning ‘shame’. It appears in the phrase 恥をかく, used here as 恥をかかないよう to mean ‘to avoid embarrassment’.
初