Translation guide
The English word "starting" can refer to the beginning of an action, event, or state. In Japanese, the most natural way to express this depends on whether you are talking about starting something intentionally, something starting on its own, or the starting point of a process. This guide covers common verbs, phrases, and patterns to express "starting" naturally.
Expressing that someone begins doing something, often with volition.
Attach 始める to the ます-stem of a verb to mean 'start doing V'. This is the most common and neutral way to express starting an action. It implies a deliberate start.
日本語を勉強し始めた。
I started studying Japanese.
雨が降り始めた。
It started raining.
Similar to 始める, but often implies a sudden or unexpected start. It can also emphasize the emergence of an action.
赤ちゃんが泣き出した。
The baby started crying.
彼は急に走り出した。
He suddenly started running.
A standalone verb meaning 'to start (something)'. Used with a direct object (noun or nominalized verb).
会議を始めましょう。
Let's start the meeting.
新しいプロジェクトを始める。
I will start a new project.
Loanword from English, used in casual or sports contexts. Often implies the start of a race, event, or machine.
レースがスタートした。
The race started.
Expressing that an event or state begins spontaneously, without a clear agent.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to begin' or 'to start'. Used when something starts by itself, like an event, season, or class.
Indicates that a change or action begins and continues toward the present. Often used for gradual or natural starts.
だんだん分かってきた。
I'm starting to understand.
雨が降ってきた。
It's starting to rain.
Means 'to be about to start' or 'to start but not finish'. Implies an action is in its initial stage or interrupted.
言いかけてやめた。
I started to say something but stopped.
Indicating the beginning of a period, location, or sequence.
Noun meaning 'beginning' or 'start'. Often used in phrases like 始めに (at the beginning) or 始めから (from the start).
始めに自己紹介をします。
First, I will introduce myself.
始めからやり直す。
Start over from the beginning.
Means 'first' or 'initial'. Used to refer to the very first thing in a sequence.
Noun meaning 'start', often used in sports or business contexts (e.g., starting line, starting point).
Turning on or activating something.
General verb for turning on electrical devices (lights, TV, etc.). Not used for engines.
テレビをつける。
Turn on the TV.
Specifically means 'to start an engine'. かける is used for engines, motors, etc.
車のエンジンをかける。
Start the car engine.
Technical term for starting up a computer, system, or machinery.
パソコンを起動する。
Start up the computer.
始める (transitive) is used when someone starts something intentionally. 始まる (intransitive) is used when something starts on its own. Compare: 先生が授業を始めた (The teacher started the class) vs. 授業が始まった (The class started).
While スタート is understood, it sounds casual and is not appropriate for formal situations. Use 始める/始まる for most contexts.
The first step is easy.
スタート地点に立つ。
Stand at the starting point.