はじめ

N5

初め

始め

[hajime]

Illustration for 初め

Meanings

1.NounAdverb

beginning; start; outset; opening

2.Noun

first (in line, etc.)

3.Noun

origin

4.Noun

such as ...; not to mention ...

Other Readings

「初め」 has another reading with different meanings.

初め（ぞめ）
first doing of ... (ever, in one's life, in the new year, etc.)

Examples

初めのうちは緊張していた。

I was nervous at the beginning.

初めに説明しますね。

I'll explain first.

この本は初めから読んだほうがいいよ。

You should read this book from the beginning.