Translation guide
The idea of beginning again, often with a sense of renewal, a clean slate, or after a setback. Japanese expresses this through verbs for restarting, phrases about new beginnings, and set expressions for turning over a new leaf.
To begin again, often after a failure or pause, with a sense of renewal.
Literally 'to redo from one', meaning to start over from scratch. Very common and natural.
Since I failed, I'll start over from scratch.
A four-character compound meaning 'turning over a new leaf' or 'making a fresh start with renewed spirit'. Often used when changing jobs, moving, etc.
I made a fresh start and began a new job.
Literally 're-departure', meaning a new start or fresh beginning. Slightly formal.
He decided to make a fresh start.
To start over, to make a fresh start, often after a pause or reset. Can be used in work or personal contexts.
The discussion didn't come together, so let's start over.
Literally 'return to a blank sheet', meaning to go back to square one or wipe the slate clean. Used when plans are scrapped.
Let's go back to the drawing board and rethink the plan.
To start a new chapter in life, often with emotional weight.
A natural phrase meaning 'to make a new start'. Combines Japanese and English loanword.
I want to make a fresh start in a new town.
To start one's life over. Stronger nuance of rebuilding after major failure.
A casual, common phrase meaning 'restart' or 'fresh start'. Often used in personal contexts.
After the divorce, I made a fresh start.
To forget past mistakes or conflicts and start over with a clean relationship.
Idiom meaning 'to let bygones be bygones', literally 'to wash away in water'. Very common for forgiving and starting fresh.
Let's let bygones be bygones and be friends again.
To pretend something never happened, to wipe the slate clean. Casual.
Let's forget about yesterday's fight and start afresh.
一からやり直す emphasizes starting completely from scratch, often with a sense of hard work. 再出発 is more about a new beginning or departure, and can be used in formal contexts like business or speeches.
After the business failed, I had to start over from scratch.
With the new fiscal year, it's time for a fresh start.
心機一転 is often used with verbs like 図る (はかる) or する, and commonly appears in contexts of changing environment: moving, changing jobs, or starting a new school. It carries a positive, determined nuance.
He went abroad to start his life over.