Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "始める", "開始", "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
開始
かいし (kaishi)
N3 / 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", "開始", "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..
- 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。.
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.".