JLPT N3 · 7 strokes
Kanji 初: "first time, beginning"
The kanji 初 means "first time, beginning". It is written with 7 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N3, read ショ in on'yomi and はじ.め, はじ.めて, はつ, はつ-, うい- 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)
ショ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
はじ.めはじ.めてはつはつ-うい-
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 | first time, beginning |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT level | N3 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 4 |
| Frequency rank | 152 of 2,501 |
Common words with 初
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 最初beginning; outset; first; onset
- 初めてfor the first time · only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; not until ... do you ...
- 初first; new
- 当初beginning; start; outset · at first; at the beginning; initially; originally
- 初対面première rencontre
- 初日first day; opening day
- 初めからfrom the beginning
- 初めましてnice to meet you; I'm glad to make your acquaintance; how do you do?
- 生まれて初めてfor the first time in one's life
- 初期early days; early years; early stages; initial stages
- 初耳something heard for the first time; hearing something for the first time
- 初めにfirst; firstly; first of all; to begin with · Introduction; Preface
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