Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "開始", "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
開始
かいし (kaishi)
N3 / 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 "開始", "着手する", "着工", "口火を切る", "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..
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 "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: "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.".