chance; opportunity; trigger; impetus
Refers to the initial spark, cue, or opportunity that sets something in motion. Often used in the pattern 〜をきっかけに(して) meaning 'taking ~ as a chance to...' or 'triggered by ~'.
彼との出会いがきっかけで、日本語を勉強し始めた。
Meeting him was the trigger that made me start studying Japanese.
その映画をきっかけに、環境問題に関心を持つようになった。
That movie was the impetus for me to become interested in environmental issues.
Prompted by his illness, he quit smoking.
I got to know him through a friend's introduction.
I couldn't find the chance to start talking to him.
She created an opening for conversation.
This failure became a good opportunity for growth.
端緒 is a stiff, literary word for the beginning or clue that starts an investigation or process, unlike the everyday, conversational きっかけ.
きっかけ is a softer, everyday word for the cue or impetus that starts something, whereas トリガー sounds more mechanical or technical, often used for a specific triggering event or condition.
きっかけ is the everyday, neutral word for any trigger or opportunity, while 誘い水 carries a nuance of a deliberate, small push that sets off a larger chain of events.
きっかけ is a trigger or opportunity that sets an action or change in motion, whereas 糸口 is the thread-like beginning that leads into understanding or resolving something.
きっかけ is a neutral word for a 'trigger' or 'opportunity' to start something, whereas 火種 implies latent conflict or trouble waiting to ignite.
きっかけ is the general word for a trigger or cause of something, while 弾み specifically carries the nuance of momentum or an impulsive, unplanned start.
きっかけ is a casual word for a trigger or opportunity that starts something, whereas 発端 is more literary and often used for the opening of a narrative or chain of events.
きっかけ is a casual word for the trigger or occasion that starts something, while 原因 is the more formal, analytical term for a cause.