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初 (はつ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 500 Meanings 1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun, noun, used as a prefix, noun, used as a suffix
first ; new ; initial
Used as a noun, prefix, suffix, or with の to mean the first instance of something, a new beginning, or something done for the first time. Common in compounds like 初恋 (first love), 初めて (for the first time), and 初日 (first day).
初はつ の 試こころ み と し て 、 オンライン で 会かい 議ぎ を 開ひら い た 。
As a first attempt, we held the meeting online.
Similar words 最さい 初しょ 最初 is a more common standalone noun meaning 'the very first' or 'beginning', while 初 is often used in compounds or as a prefix/suffix to mean 'first' or 'new'.
初はじ めて 初めて is the adverbial form meaning 'for the first time', derived from 初. It is used to describe a first-time experience, whereas 初 can be used attributively or in compounds.
Etymology The kanji 初 is composed of 衣 (clothing) and 刀 (knife), originally depicting the first cut when making clothes, symbolizing the beginning. The reading はつ is native Japanese, while うい is a rare older reading. The exact historical derivation of うい is uncertain.
