Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "言い出す", "着手", "着工", "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
着手
ちゃくしゅ (chakushu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
着工
ちゃっこう (chakkou)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
手始め
てはじめ (tehajime)
N2 / 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 "言い出す", "着手", "着工", "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。.
- 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」.
- 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 "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 "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.".