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起首 (きしゅ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

起き首しゅ

き

しゅ

Meanings

1

noun

start; beginning; origin

A somewhat formal or literary noun for the start or origin of something. Not as common in everyday speech as 始まり or 開始.

この物もの語がたりの起き首しゅは、静しずかな村むらの描びょう写しゃから始はじまる。
The beginning of this story starts with a description of a quiet village.

Kanji

起rouse, wake up, get up
首neck, counter for songs and poems

Similar words

始はじまり
The common, everyday word for 'beginning' or 'start'. 起首 is more formal and literary.
開かい始し
Means 'start' or 'commencement', often used for events or actions. 起首 is more abstract and less common.

Etymology

Composed of 起 (to rise, to start) and 首 (head, beginning). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji suggest the idea of 'raising the head' or 'starting point'.