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Kotomora

初

first time, beginning

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 200Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • ショ

Kun'yomi

  • はじ.め
  • はじ.めて
  • はつ
  • はつ-
  • うい-
  • -そ.める
  • -ぞ.め

Nanori

  • し
  • はっ

Meaning

初 centers on the start of something: the first time an event happens, or the beginning of a process.

Most common words using 初

24 of 314
  • 最初さいしょ
    N4

    beginning; outset; first; onset

  • 初めてはじめて
    N5

    for the first time

  • 初はつ
    N2

    first; new

  • 初期しょき
    N1

    early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning

  • 初心者しょしんしゃ
    N2

    beginner

  • 初回しょかい

    first time; first innings; initial attempt

  • 当初とうしょ
    N1

    beginning; start; outset

  • 初代しょだい

    first generation; founder

  • 初日しょにち
    N1

    first day; opening day

  • 初めましてはじめまして
    N4

    nice to meet you; I'm glad to make your acquaintance; how do you do?

  • 初恋はつこい
    N1

    first love; puppy love

  • 初対面しょたいめん
    N2

    first meeting; first interview with

  • 初戦しょせん

    first match (in a series)

  • 初頭しょとう

    beginning (of a century, etc.)

  • 初級しょきゅう
    N3

    elementary level; beginner level

  • 初出しょしゅつ

    first appearance

  • 初夏しょか
    N2

    early summer

  • 初演しょえん

    first performance; premiere

  • 初歩しょほ
    N1

    basics; rudiments; elements; ABCs of ...

  • 初詣はつもうで
    N1

    first shrine visit of the New Year

  • 初版しょはん
    N1

    first edition

  • 年初ねんしょ

    beginning of the year

  • 初心しょしん
    N1

    one's original intention; one's initial enthusiasm

  • 初旬しょじゅん
    N3

    first 10 days of the month

Explore all words using 初 →

Study

Etymology

初 combines 衤 (clothing) and 刀 (knife). The traditional explanation is that cutting cloth is the first step in making a garment, symbolizing a beginning.

Meaning mnemonic

Picture the first cut of a knife into fresh cloth: that initial slice marks the beginning of making a new garment. 初 is that first time.

Reading mnemonic

For ショ, imagine the first cut of the knife making a soft 'sho' sound as it slices the cloth: sho -> ショ, the beginning of the sewing project.