JLPT N4 · Japanese kanji

始

始 — commence

Reading
シ・はじ.める・\~はじ.める・はじ.まる
Meaning
commence; begin
JLPT level
N4
Language
Japanese

About this kanji

始 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N4 level. Its primary reading is シ・はじ.める・\~はじ.める・はじ.まる and it means commence; begin. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.

始 appears in everyday japanese words such as 始め (beginning), 始末 (management) and 始発 (first train).

Japanese words containing 始

Frequently asked questions

What does 始 mean in Japanese?

始 means commence; begin in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N4 kanji every learner meets at that level.

How is 始 read?

始 is read シ・はじ.める・\~はじ.める・はじ.まる. Reading it inside real words — 始め and 始末 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.

What level is 始 — is it JLPT N4?

Yes. 始 is on the official JLPT N4 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.

How do you use 始 in a word?

A common word containing 始 is 始め (はじめ) — "beginning". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.

How do I learn 始 effectively?

Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 始 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.

More JLPT N4 kanji

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