Translation guide
How to express the idea of beginning to write in Japanese, covering general writing, creative writing, exams, and digital contexts.
The speaker or someone else starts the physical act of writing, such as a letter, note, or document.
The most direct and common way to say 'start writing'. It combines 書く (write) with 始める (begin).
手紙を書き始めた。
I started writing a letter.
レポートを書き始めよう。
Let's start writing the report.
Also means 'start writing', often with a nuance of beginning to put words on paper or starting a draft.
アイデアをノートに書き出した。
I started writing down ideas in my notebook.
Beginning to compose a story, novel, essay, or formal document.
Used for starting to write a book, article, or formal piece. 執筆 means 'writing' as an activity.
新しい小説の執筆を始めた。
I started writing a new novel.
A formal, literary term for beginning to write, especially calligraphy or a formal document.
年賀状を起筆する。
Start writing New Year's cards.
Beginning to write answers in an examination setting.
Specifically for starting to write an exam answer sheet.
試験開始の合図で答案を書き始めた。
At the signal to start the exam, I began writing my answers.
Beginning to type or input text on a computer or device.
Used when starting to type or input text, rather than handwriting.
パソコンでレポートの入力を始めた。
I started typing the report on my computer.
Literally 'start typing', from 打つ (to type). Casual.
メールを打ち始めた。
I started typing an email.
Both mean 'start writing', but 書き出す often implies starting to write something down that was in your mind, or beginning a draft. 書き始める is more general.
日記を書き始める。
Start writing a diary (general).
思いついたことを書き出す。
Start writing down what came to mind.