Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
手始め (てはじめ, tehajime) Japanese meaning: outset | Kotomora
Report an issue with this page
単たん
な
自じ
己こ
紹しょう
介かい
を
し
ましょう
。
To start with, let's do a simple self-introduction.
He began by cleaning up the neighborhood as a first step.
Usage patterns 手て 始はじ めに 〈 動どう 詞し 〉 to start off by doing ~, as a first step
Let's start off by solving the easy questions first.
〈 事こと 〉 を 手て 始はじ めとして using ~ as the starting point (for a larger undertaking)
Related words 最初 is the general, neutral word for 'the first time' or 'the beginning' of anything, while 手始め specifically points to a deliberate first step taken to start an activity.
初め is a broad, everyday word for the beginning of something, whereas 手始め implies a chosen first action meant to kick off a longer process.
発端 refers to the origin or triggering event behind a situation, often unplanned, while 手始め is a deliberate first step someone takes to begin a task.
第一歩 suggests a meaningful step in a longer journey or process, while 手始め is a lighter, more casual word for 'the first thing one does'.
Etymology Compound of 手 (hand, method) and 始め (beginning). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely developed from the idea of 'starting with one's hands' or 'the first hand in a task'.
Starting with this project, the company plans to move forward with overseas expansion.