JLPT N3

～を始め

starting with; including

Structure

Noun A を始め Noun B (など)

How it works

This phrase is used to list one prominent example (Noun A) and then imply that there are other similar items (Noun B, etc.) as well. It functions like 'starting with A, and also B and others'.

Examples

彼は英語を始め、フランス語も話せる。

He can speak English, and French as well.

Common mistakes

Using it for simply listing items; it implies the first item is a representative or leading example among others.

Tip

Think of the first noun after 'を始め' as the leader of a group of similar things.

More JLPT N3 grammar

としてに対してについてによってに関してにとってわけだわけがない

See ～を始め in real Japanese

Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.

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