当とう初しょ

と

う

しょ

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

Refers to the initial stage or starting point of a period, plan, or situation. Often used in formal or written contexts.

Adverbial use meaning 'in the beginning' or 'at the outset', often contrasting with a later change or outcome.

当とう初しょの〈事こと〉the original (plan/schedule/purpose)
当とう初しょの予よ定ていでは来らい月げつ完かん成せいするはずだった。
According to the original schedule, it was supposed to be finished next month.
当とう初しょは〜が、〜at first ~, but ~ (contrast with a later change)
当とう初しょは反はん対たいする人ひとが多おおかったが、今いまでは賛さん成せいする人ひとが増ふえている。
At first many people were opposed, but now more people are in favor.
当とう初しょからfrom the very beginning
このプロジェクトには当とう初しょから問もん題だいがあった。
This project had problems from the very beginning.

最さい初しょN4sense 1
最初 is the common, everyday word for 'first/beginning', while 当初 is more formal and typically used for the initial stage of a plan or period in writing.
始はじめN5sense 1
始め is a general, everyday word for 'beginning' usable in casual speech, whereas 当初 stresses the starting point of a specific plan or period and sounds more formal.
冒ぼう頭とうN1sense 1
冒頭 refers specifically to the opening part of a speech, document, or text, while 当初 refers more broadly to the initial stage of any plan, period, or situation.
もともとN3sense 2
元々 emphasizes that something has always been a certain way from the start, while 当初 emphasizes the initial state of a plan or period that later changed.

終おわりN5sense 1
終わり means 'the end', the direct opposite of 当初's 'the beginning' of a period or plan.

当とう所しょ
当所 (とうしょ) means 'this place/here' and is unrelated in meaning to 当初 (とうしょ, 'the beginning'), though the two are pronounced identically.

Composed of 当 (current, this) and 初 (first, beginning). The combination conveys 'at the beginning' or 'initially'.