🦅 Project Eagle
Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "始める", "着手", "着手する", "口火を切る"

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

着手

ちゃくしゅ (chakushu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

着手する

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

口火を切る

くちびをきる (kuchibi o kiru)
N1 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "start" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "始める", "着手", "着手する", "口火を切る" 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..
  • 着手 (ちゃくしゅ (chakushu) - Level: N2): Maps to "to start work; to embark on; to set about" and is used when 新しいプロジェクトや計画などに「具体的な行動を開始する」ことを指す、ややフォーマルな表現です。A somewhat formal expression referring to 'commencing concrete actions' on a new project or plan..
  • 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..
  • 口火を切る (くちびをきる (kuchibi o kiru) - Level: N1): Maps to "to start (a discussion, dispute, etc.), to lead off, to fire the first shot" and is used when An idiomatic expression meaning to initiate something, especially a discussion, debate, conflict, or a series of events. きっかけを作る、最初に始めることを意味する。比喩的に用いられることが多い。.
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 "着手"
新しいビルの建設プロジェクトがついに着手された。
The construction project for the new building has finally commenced.
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 "口火を切る"
会議で彼が口火を切ると、活発な議論が始まった。
When he started the discussion at the meeting, a lively debate began.

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.".