Translation guide
The English verb 'initiate' means to begin or start something, often formally or officially. It can also mean to introduce someone into a group or activity. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas.
To formally start a process, project, plan, or action.
The most direct and common translation for 'initiate' in formal contexts. Used for starting meetings, projects, operations, etc.
We will initiate the meeting.
Preparations to initiate the project are complete.
A general verb for 'to start/begin'. Less formal than 開始する, but still usable in many contexts. Often used for personal actions or less official starts.
We decided to initiate a new business.
Means 'to start work on' or 'to embark on'. Often used in business or project contexts when initiating a concrete task.
We initiated development of the new product.
Literally 'to launch' or 'start up'. Commonly used for initiating projects, companies, or systems. Slightly informal but widely used in business.
Initiate a new project.
To formally admit or accept someone into an organization, club, or secret knowledge.
Causative form of 入会する (to join). Means 'to make someone join' or 'to admit someone into membership'. Used for clubs, societies, etc.
They initiated him into the secret society.
Means 'to initiate (into secrets/arts)' or 'to teach the mysteries of'. Used for passing on esoteric knowledge or skills.
Literally 'to give the first lessons in'. Used for initiating someone into a skill or field, often in a mentoring context.
To trigger or set off a chain of events, especially in technical or scientific contexts.
Means 'to cause' or 'to trigger'. Used for initiating events, reactions, or problems.
The incident initiated the war.
Means 'to induce' or 'to trigger'. Often used in medical or technical contexts for initiating a response.
Causative of 開始する. Emphasizes making something start, often used in technical descriptions.
開始する is more formal and often used for scheduled or official events. 始める is more general and can be used for personal actions. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 開始する sounds more deliberate.
Both mean 'to start a meeting', but 開始する is more formal.
The katakana word イニシエート is rarely used and would sound unnatural. Stick to the Japanese verbs above.
The master initiates the disciple into the secret techniques.
I initiated him into the tea ceremony.
This drug may initiate an allergic reaction.
Pressing the button initiates the process.