JLPT N4 · 8 strokes
Kanji 始: "commence, begin"
The kanji 始 means "commence, begin". It is written with 8 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N4, read シ in on'yomi and はじ.める, -はじ.める, はじ.まる in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
シ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
はじ.める-はじ.めるはじ.まる
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | commence, begin |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT level | N4 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 3 |
| Frequency rank | 244 of 2,501 |
Common words with 始
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 始めるto start; to begin; to commence; to initiate · to start up (a business, society, etc.); to open (e.g. a store); to establish
- 始まるto begin; to start; to commence · to happen (again); to begin (anew)
- 開始start; commencement; beginning; initiation
- 始末management; dealing with; settlement; cleaning up · course of events; circumstances; particulars
- 始まりorigin; beginning; start
- 始めbeginning; start; outset; opening · first (in line, etc.)
- 話し始めるto begin to speak
- し始めるto begin (doing); to start (doing)
- 終始beginning and end · doing something from beginning to end; being unchanged from beginning to end
- 歩き始めるto begin to walk; to set out
- 後始末settlement (of a matter); sorting out; winding up (affairs); dealing with the aftermath · cleaning up afterwards; tidying up (when finished)
- 食べ始めるto start eating
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