Translation guide
A false start is when a planned action begins but is immediately stopped and restarted, often due to a mistake or premature signal. This guide covers how to express this in Japanese across sports, everyday situations, and figurative uses.
When a competitor starts before the official signal, causing a restart.
The most common term for a false start in races. Derived from 'flying start', but used for premature starts.
彼はフライングで失格になった。
He was disqualified for a false start.
The full borrowed phrase, though often shortened to just フライング.
フライングスタートを切ってしまった。
I accidentally made a false start.
A more formal or technical term, literally 'illegal start'. Used in official contexts.
不正スタートによりレースがやり直しになった。
The race was restarted due to a false start.
When someone starts speaking or acting too soon, or makes a mistake at the very beginning of an action.
Literally 'stumble at the start'. A natural way to describe a false start in speech, performance, or any endeavor.
スピーチの出だしでつまずいてしまった。
I stumbled at the beginning of my speech.
A straightforward way to say 'make a mistake at the start'. Less idiomatic but clear.
最初で間違えて、やり直した。
I made a mistake at the start and had to redo it.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to be thwarted at the outset'. Implies an external factor causing the false start.
出鼻をくじかれて、計画が遅れた。
We had a false start and the plan was delayed.
When a project or relationship begins but immediately encounters problems and must be restarted or abandoned.
Literally 'stumble from the beginning'. Commonly used for projects or plans that hit a snag right away.
新プロジェクトは最初からつまずいた。
The new project had a false start.
A direct way to say 'fail at the outset'.
交渉は出だしで失敗した。
The negotiations had a false start.
Means 'a bad start' or 'getting off on the wrong foot'. Often used for the initial phase of something.
新年度は滑り出しが悪かった。
The new fiscal year got off to a false start.
The direct translation '偽のスタート' is not used in Japanese. Use the terms above depending on context.
偽のスタート
false start (literal, not used)