01
初めて
はじめて
for the first time
Meanings
- first time
- beginning
Readings
Onyomi
- ショ
Kunyomi
- はじ.め
- はじ.めて
- はつ
- はつ-
- うい-
- -そ.める
- -ぞ.め
Local Progress
New CardsProgress appears here when JavaScript is available.
0/0Correct--AccuracyReadyDue Now
Useful words
02
最初
さいしょ
beginning
03
初心者
しょしんしゃ
beginner
04
初級
しょきゅう
elementary level
05
初雪
はつゆき
first snow
06
初恋
はつこい
first love
Compare Kanji
01始Meaning88%commence, beginBeginning and starting are nearly the same idea, with 始 more action-like.02新Meaning77%newFirstness and newness meet when something has just begun.03前Meaning64%in front, beforeEarly position connects 初 with what comes before later stages.04刀Component82%sword, saberThe knife part at the right edge is the sharp detail in 初.05切Component76%cut, cutoffCutting shares the knife form, making 初’s right side easier to remember.06衣Component70%garment, clothesThe clothing side near the left boundary is a key clue, even though 初 means beginning.