序じょの口くち

noun

just the beginning; only the start

Only when written 序の口

Figurative use derived from the sumo division; implies that the current situation is merely the first step and more is to come. Often used in the pattern 〜はまだ序の口だ.

• この程てい度どの仕し事ごとはまだ序じょの口くちだ。

  This amount of work is still just the beginning.

• 彼かれの苦く労ろうはこれが序じょの口くちだった。

  His hardships were only just starting at this point.

noun

jonokuchi; lowest sumo division

The lowest of the six professional sumo divisions, where new wrestlers begin their careers.

• 彼かれは序じょの口くちで全ぜん勝しょうした。

  He won all his bouts in the jonokuchi division.

• 序じょの口くちから十じゅう両りょうに昇しょう進しんするまでに数すう年ねんかかった。

  It took several years to rise from jonokuchi to juryo.