Translation guide
The earliest train of the day, typically in the morning. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with specific terms like 始発 (shihatsu) or phrases indicating the first departure.
始発
first train
The earliest scheduled train service in the morning.
The standard term for the first train of the day. Can be used as a noun or with の to modify another noun.
始発は何時ですか。
What time is the first train?
始発の電車に乗ります。
I'll take the first train.
Literally 'number one train', a colloquial way to refer to the first train. More common in spoken Japanese.
一番電車で行くよ。
I'll go on the first train.
A more formal term, often used in announcements or written schedules. 列車 implies a longer-distance train.
始発列車は5時30分です。
The first train is at 5:30.
The first train departing from a particular station, emphasizing the starting point.
Refers to the station where a train originates its service. Often used in the context of the first train of the day from that station.
この電車の始発駅は東京です。
The originating station for this train is Tokyo.
Can be used to mean the first train from a station, especially in casual conversation.
駅の一番の電車に乗ろう。
Let's take the first train from the station.
始発 can be used alone to mean 'first train' or combined with の to modify another noun, e.g., 始発の電車 (first train). It is the most common and versatile term.