Translation guide
Ways to express the idea of a starting point in Japanese, including physical locations, temporal beginnings, and abstract origins.
Indicating the place where movement or an action begins.
The particle から marks the starting point of a physical movement or action. It attaches directly to a noun.
駅から歩きます。
I'll walk from the station.
ここから始めましょう。
Let's start from here.
Used for departing from a place, often in travel contexts. を marks the point of departure.
東京を出発します。
I depart from Tokyo.
Indicating when something begins.
から also marks the starting point in time. It can be used with specific times, dates, or events.
会議は3時からです。
The meeting is from 3 o'clock.
明日から夏休みです。
Summer vacation starts from tomorrow.
Means 'from N onward' or 'after N'. More formal than から, often used in written announcements.
来月以降に実施します。
It will be implemented from next month onward.
Indicating the origin of an idea, information, or abstract entity.
から can mark the source of information, inspiration, or abstract things.
この話は友達から聞きました。
I heard this story from a friend.
経験から学ぶ。
Learn from experience.
Means 'originates from' or 'is derived from'. Used in formal or academic contexts.
この言葉はラテン語に由来する。
This word originates from Latin.
Referring to the first step or initial stage.
Literally 'departure point', used metaphorically for the starting point of a project, discussion, or journey.
議論の出発点を確認しましょう。
Let's confirm the starting point of the discussion.
Means 'origin' or 'starting point', often used when returning to basics or the original purpose.
A loanword from English, commonly used in sports, games, or casual contexts.
スタート地点に立つ。
Stand at the starting point.
Indicating the lower bound or beginning of a range (e.g., prices, ages).
Used with まで to express 'from N to M'. から marks the starting point of the range.
価格は1000円からです。
Prices start from 1000 yen.
子供から大人まで楽しめます。
It can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults.
Both can mean 'from', but から is the default for starting points. より is more formal/literary and often used in comparisons ('than') or written notices.
会議は3時より始まります。
The meeting will begin from 3 o'clock. (formal)
The English 'starting point' can sometimes be translated as 始まり (beginning) or 最初 (first), but these emphasize the act of starting rather than the point itself. Use 出発点 or から for the point of origin.
原点に戻って考える。
Think back to the starting point.