Kanji 初: "first time, beginning"

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

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

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.

• 最さい初しょbeginning; outset; first; onset
• 初はじめてfor the first time · only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; not until ... do you ...
• 初はつfirst; new
• 当とう初しょbeginning; start; outset · at first; at the beginning; initially; originally
• 初しょ対たい面めんfirst meeting; first interview with
• 初しょ日にちfirst day; opening day
• 初はじめからfrom the beginning
• 初はじめましてnice to meet you; I'm glad to make your acquaintance; how do you do?
• 生うまれて初はじめてfor the first time in one's life
• 初しょ期きearly days; early years; early stages; initial stages
• 初はつ耳みみsomething heard for the first time; hearing something for the first time
• 初はじめにfirst; firstly; first of all; to begin with · Introduction; Preface

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