Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "言い出す", "振り出す", "手始め", "始まる"
All represent the core concept "start", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
言い出す
いいだす (iidasu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
振り出す
ふりだす (furidasu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
手始め
てはじめ (tehajime)
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 "言い出す", "振り出す", "手始め", "始まる" based on context.
- 言い出す (いいだす (iidasu) - Level: N3): Maps to "to start talking, to bring up (a topic), to suggest" and is used when Often implies initiating a conversation or being the first to speak about something, sometimes after hesitation or difficulty. 誰かが最初に話すこと、または躊躇した後に何かを話すことを意味します。.
- 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..
- 手始め (てはじめ (tehajime) - Level: N2): Maps to "start, beginning, first step" and is used when Refers to the initial action or first step in a series of tasks or an endeavor. Often used with 「手始めに」.
- 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..
Context for "言い出す"
会議で誰も意見を言い出せなかった。
No one could bring up their opinion in the meeting.
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 "手始め"
まずは手始めに資料を集めることから始めよう。
First, let's start by gathering materials.
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: "会議で誰も意見を言い出せなかった。" (Meaning: "No one could bring up their opinion in the meeting.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "言い出す" is correct here because it represents "to start talking, to bring up (a topic), to suggest" in the context: "No one could bring up their opinion in the meeting.".