Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "始める", "開始", "着手", "着手する", "着工"
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
開始
かいし (kaishi)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
着手
ちゃくしゅ (chakushu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
着手する
ちゃくしゅする (chakushusuru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
着工
ちゃっこう (chakkou)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "start" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "始める", "開始", "着手", "着手する", "着工" 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..
- 開始 (かいし (kaishi) - Level: N3): Maps to "start; commencement; beginning" and is used when Often used for events, meetings, projects, or formal procedures. Can be a noun.
- 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..
- 着工 (ちゃっこう (chakkou) - Level: N2): Maps to "start of construction" and is used when Specifically refers to the commencement of construction work on a building or project. Often used with 「する」.
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 "開始"
会議は午後1時に開始します。
The meeting will start at 1 PM.
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 "着工"
新しいビルの建設は来月着工する予定だ。
Construction of the new building is scheduled to start next month.
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.".