言いい始はじめる

ichidan verb

start saying; begin to speak

General use for beginning to say something. Often followed by a quotation or clause.

• 彼かれは突とつ然ぜん、言いい始はじめた。「実じつは、会かい社しゃを辞やめたいんだ。」

  He suddenly started saying, "Actually, I want to quit the company."

• 子こどもが「ママ、ママ」と言いい始はじめた。

  The child started saying "Mama, Mama."

ichidan verb

say something previously unspoken; bring up a hidden thought

Used when someone voices a thought or feeling they had kept inside. Often implies hesitation or a sudden decision to speak.

• 彼かの女じょは思おもい切きって、ずっと胸むねに秘ひめていたことを言いい始はじめた。

  She finally started to say what she had kept in her heart for so long.

ichidan verb

court someone; make advances

Rare, somewhat old-fashioned use for initiating romantic pursuit. Modern Japanese more often uses 口説く or アプローチする.

• 昔むかしの小しょう説せつでは、男だん性せいが女じょ性せいに言いい始はじめる場ば面めんがよく描えがかれる。

  In old novels, scenes of a man courting a woman are often depicted.