🦅 Project Eagle
Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "始める", "振り出す", "着手する", "始まる"

All represent the core concept "start", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

始める

はじめる (hajimeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

振り出す

ふりだす (furidasu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

着手する

ちゃくしゅする (chakushusuru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

始まる

はじまる (hajimaru)
A1 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "start" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "始める", "振り出す", "着手する", "始まる" based on context.
  • 始める (はじめる (hajimeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to start (something)" and is used when Transitive verb. To initiate an action or activity..
  • 振り出す (ふりだす (furidasu) - Level: N2): Maps to "to start to rain/snow (suddenly); to issue (a check, bill)" and is used when 雨や雪が急に降り始める様子や、小切手・手形などを発行する際に使われます。/ Used when rain or snow suddenly starts, or when issuing checks or bills..
  • 着手する (ちゃくしゅする (chakushusuru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to start work, to embark on, to commence" and is used when Often used for formally or significantly beginning a project, task, or investigation..
  • 始まる (はじまる (hajimaru) - Level: A1): Maps to "to start" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR A1 vocabulary syllabus..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "始める"
今日から新しい仕事を始めます。
I will start a new job today.
Context for "振り出す"
急に雨が振り出したので、洗濯物を取り込んだ。
It suddenly started raining, so I brought in the laundry.
Context for "着手する"
新しい研究プロジェクトは来月から着手される予定だ。
The new research project is scheduled to commence next month.
Context for "始まる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために始まる。
Every day, I start to practice Japanese.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "今日から新しい仕事を始めます。" (Meaning: "I will start a new job today.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "始める" is correct here because it represents "to start (something)" in the context: "I will start a new job today.".

💡 Practice with AI! Live

Don't just read. Practice speaking this grammar with our interactive AI coach for free!

Try AI Speaking 👉