Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "開始", "着手", "着手する", "手始め", "始まる"
All represent the core concept "start", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
開始
かいし (kaishi)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
着手
ちゃくしゅ (chakushu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
着手する
ちゃくしゅする (chakushusuru)
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 "開始", "着手", "着手する", "手始め", "始まる" based on context.
- 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..
- 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 "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 "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: "会議は午後1時に ＿＿＿ します。" (Meaning: "The meeting will start at 1 PM.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "開始" is correct here because it represents "start; commencement; beginning" in the context: "The meeting will start at 1 PM.".