仕し初ぞめ

noun

outset; beginning; start

Refers to the very beginning of an activity or undertaking. Often used in the phrase 仕初めに meaning 'at the start' or 'first of all'. Similar to 手始め.

See also: 手始め

• 仕し初ぞめに、自じ己こ紹しょう介かいをお願ねがいします。

  To start with, please introduce yourself.

• 仕し初ぞめは誰だれでも緊きん張ちょうするものだ。

  Everyone gets nervous at the beginning.

noun

resuming work after New Year's

Specifically refers to the first day back at work after the New Year holiday. Often used in the compound 仕事始め, but 仕初め alone can carry this meaning in context.

See also: 仕事始め

• 今日きょうは仕し初ぞめで、会かい社しゃに行いく。

  Today is the first day back at work after New Year's, so I'm going to the office.

• 仕し初ぞめの日ひは、みんなで新しん年ねんの挨あい拶さつを交かわす。

  On the day we resume work after New Year's, everyone exchanges New Year greetings.