beginning of the year; early in the year
Refers to the first part of the year, often used in formal, business, or news contexts to discuss plans, events, or conditions at the start of the year.
年初に今年の目標を立てた。
I set my goals for this year at the beginning of the year.
I set my goals for this year at the beginning of the year.
The plan for the new fiscal year was announced at the meeting early in the year.
Stock prices have been rising since the beginning of the year.
年初 is the formal, often business or financial term for the start of the year, while 年頭 is broader and used in ceremonial or personal contexts too.
年末 means the end of the year, directly opposite to 年初, which means the beginning of the year.
year-to-date high; yearly high (stocks)
Compound of 年 (year) and 初 (beginning). The reading ねんしょ is the on'yomi for both characters.