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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "着手", "着手する", "着工", "口火を切る", "始まる"

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

Japanese Option A

着手

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

着手する

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

着工

ちゃっこう (chakkou)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

口火を切る

くちびをきる (kuchibi o kiru)
N1 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

始まる

はじまる (hajimaru)
A1 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "start" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "着手", "着手する", "着工", "口火を切る", "始まる" based on context.
  • 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」.
  • 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。.
  • 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 "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.
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.
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: "新しいビルの建設プロジェクトがついに ___ された。" (Meaning: "The construction project for the new building has finally commenced.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "着手" is correct here because it represents "to start work; to embark on; to set about" in the context: "The construction project for the new building has finally commenced.".

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