初

JLPT N3

First, beginning

Readings

On’yomi: ショ (sho)
Kun’yomi: はじ(め), は぀, はじ(めて) (haji(me), hatsu, haji(mete))
β€’ はじ(め) – beginning, first β€’ はじ(めて) – for the first time

Vocabulary

εˆγ‚γ¦
γ―γ˜γ‚γ¦
for the first time
ζœ€εˆ
さいしょ
first
εˆεΏƒθ€…
しょしんしゃ
beginner
初ζ—₯
しょにけ
first day
εˆζ‹
は぀こい
first love

Example Sentences

εˆγ‚γ¦ζ₯γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
γ―γ˜γ‚γ¦ γγΎγ—γŸγ€‚
I came for the first time.
ζœ€εˆγ«θ©±γ—γΎγ™γ€‚
さいしょ に はγͺします。
I speak first.
εˆεΏƒθ€…γ§γ™γ€‚
しょしんしゃ です。
I am a beginner.
初ζ—₯です。
しょにけ です。
It is the first day.
εˆζ‹γ§γ™γ€‚
は぀こい です。
It is first love.

Cultural Note

🌱 初 emphasizes beginnings and first experiences in Japanese culture.
β€’ Frequently used to describe first-time experiences (εˆγ‚γ¦, εˆζ‹) or starting periods (初ζ—₯, 初期).
β€’ Often appears in seasonal references, e.g., 初倏, reflecting the Japanese attention to seasonal beginnings.
β€’ Culturally, it conveys freshness, novelty, and new opportunities.