始める

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 日本語の勉強を始めました。▶ —
   I started studying Japanese.
2. では、会議を始めましょう。▶ —
   Let's begin the meeting.

Collocations

Mnemonic

Hajimeru (始める) is an ichidan transitive — "to begin / cause to begin." Its intransitive pair is hajimaru (始まる, godan, "to start"). Benkyou o hajimeru (start studying, transitive) vs kaigi ga hajimaru (the meeting begins, intransitive). Same shape as Korean si-jak-hada / si-jak-doe-da. Vocabulary cluster: hajimete (for the first time, adverb), hajimemashite (greeting "nice to meet you"), saisho (the beginning, Sino-Japanese). Business meeting opener "Dewa hajimemashou" (let's begin) is standard. Formal kaishi suru (start formally) for ceremonies: shikiten no kaishi.

Quick check

1. Natural formula to open a business meeting?

   • "Dewa, kaigi o hajimemashou" (Let's begin the meeting)
   • "Kaigi ga hajimarimashita" (The meeting has started)
   • "Mou owarimashou" (Let's end now)
   • "Yasumimashou" (Let's rest)