Kanji

初

初

first time, beginning

Kanji

Grade

Grade 4

Strokes

7 strokes

Radical

刀部

On'yomi (Chinese Reading)

ショ

Kun'yomi (Japanese Reading)

はじめ, はじめて, はつ, はつ-, うい-, -そめる, -ぞめ

Nanori (Name Reading)

うい, はじめ, はつ, もと

Common Readings

ショ, うい, そ…める, はじ…め, はじ…めて, はつ

Example sentences

最初 さいしょ
最初 が 肝心 です

The beginning is crucial.

肝心 かんじん
何事 も 最初 が 肝心 だ 。

In everything, the beginning is essential.

初めて はじめて
日本 に 来た の は 、 今回 が 初めて です 。

This is the first time I've come to Japan.

こんな こんな
こんな 美味しい ラーメン は 初めて だ

This is the first time I've had such delicious ramen.

初 はつ
彼 が 日本 初 の 宇宙 飛行士 に なった

He became Japan's first astronaut.

当初 とうしょ
当初 の 計画 で は 、 一 週間 滞在 する 予定 だった 。

According to the original plan, I was scheduled to stay for a week.

初対面 しょたいめん
初対面 だったので 、 彼 は 緊張 していた 。

He was nervous because it was their first meeting.

握手 あくしゅ
彼ら は 初対面 の 挨拶 として 握手 を 交わした 。

They exchanged a handshake as a first-time greeting.

初日 しょにち
公演 の 初日 は 、 満員御礼 だった 。

On the opening day of the performance, it was a full house.

気張る きばる
初日 の デート だから 、 あまり 気張る 必要 は ない よ 。

Since it's your first date, there's no need to try too hard to impress.

Example Vocabulary

最初

さいしょ

first; beginning; outset

初めて

はじめて

for the first time

初

はつ

first; original; new

当初

とうしょ

the beginning; at first; originally

初対面

しょたいめん

first meeting; meeting for the first time

初日

しょにち

opening day; first day

初めまして

はじめまして

Nice to meet you; How do you do

初めから

はじめから

from the beginning; from the start

生まれて初めて

うまれてはじめて

for the first time in one's life

初心者

しょしんしゃ

beginner; novice

Sottaku

About Sottaku

Sottaku is an app for learning Chinese, Japanese, Korean, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian with a strong focus on SRS. It includes automatic flashcard creation for hundreds of thousands of words, grammar breakdowns in example sentences, language-specific study packs where available, adaptive quizzes, mobile apps, a browser extension, and community features. Give it a try now! All learning content is free with no limits on flashcards or study time.

Sottaku is built to match the habits of successful learners. By using Sottaku, you will naturally learn in the most efficient way possible, as proven by countless success stories in the language learning community.

Free Sign Up

Free Forever

Access all grammar guides, quizzes, and flashcards without paying a cent. Quality education should be accessible to everyone.

Smart SRS System

Our flashcard system uses the FSRS algorithm (also used in Anki) to optimize your review schedule and maximize retention.

Comprehensive Content

From hanzi, kana, hangul, and European vocabulary basics to grammar and reading practice where available, we have lessons for every level. Practice with quizzes tailored to your skill.

Community Chat

Ask level-appropriate questions and get help from the community. Learn together with fellow learners across all 8 supported languages.