Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Begin" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "begin", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
はじまります
はじまります (hajimarimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
〜始める
〜はじめる (hajimeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "begin" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between はじまります and 〜始める.
In Japanese, はじまります (はじまります (hajimarimasu)) is typically associated with "to begin, to start (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Used when something starts by itself or a situation begins. The subject is the thing that starts.
On the other hand, 〜始める (〜はじめる (hajimeru)) maps to "to begin to do; to start doing" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates the beginning of an action or state. It is attached to the masu-stem. A literal translation of "begin" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "はじまります"
会議は9時に始まります。
The meeting starts at 9 o'clock.
Bilingual Context for "〜始める"
6時から会議が始まります。
The meeting starts at 6 o'clock.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議は9時に始まります。" (Meaning: "The meeting starts at 9 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "はじまります" fits here because it means "to begin, to start (intransitive)" in the context of: "The meeting starts at 9 o'clock.". "〜始める" represents "to begin to do; to start doing".