〜を皮切りに
starting with ~
Use this pattern to shape a complete, natural Japanese thought.
Remember it
Connect the meaning to its sound: say “〜を皮切りに” aloud once.
Understand
Build the pattern
Sentence formula
How it works
「〜を皮切りに」 means "starting with ~". Structure: Noun + を皮切りに. This is a JLPT N1 pattern — the examples below slot different everyday and workplace words into the same structure so you can see how it behaves. Learn the structure, then swap in your own words.
When to use it
Read the example aloud, then replace one detail with something from your own life.
Tone: Neutral
A general pattern; let the sentence ending and situation set the politeness level.
Use
Hear it in real life
Everyday life
Example 1東京を皮切りに、各地で採決を開催する。
とうきょう を かわきり に、かくち で さいけつ を かいさい する。
toukyou o kawakiri ni, kakuchi de saiketsu o kaisai suru.
Starting with Tokyo, we will hold the vote around the country.
Shopping & services
Example 2東京を皮切りに、各地で買収を開催する。
とうきょう を かわきり に、かくち で ばいしゅう を かいさい する。
toukyou o kawakiri ni, kakuchi de baishuu o kaisai suru.
Starting with Tokyo, we will hold the acquisition around the country.
Everyday life
Example 3東京を皮切りに、各地で志願を開催する。
とうきょう を かわきり に、かくち で しがん を かいさい する。
toukyou o kawakiri ni, kakuchi de shigan o kaisai suru.
Starting with Tokyo, we will hold the volunteering around the country.
Everyday life
Example 4東京を皮切りに、各地で転載を開催する。
とうきょう を かわきり に、かくち で てんさい を かいさい する。
toukyou o kawakiri ni, kakuchi de tensai o kaisai suru.
Starting with Tokyo, we will hold the reprinting around the country.
Everyday life
Example 5東京を皮切りに、各地で滞納を開催する。
とうきょう を かわきり に、かくち で たいのう を かいさい する。
toukyou o kawakiri ni, kakuchi de tainou o kaisai suru.
Starting with Tokyo, we will hold the payment arrears around the country.
Make it yours
Choose one example. Replace one person, place, object, or time with a detail from your life, then say the new sentence aloud.
Recall
Test your memory
Recall practice
Can you say it?
1 of 5
Read the situation, look away from the answer, and say the Japanese aloud.
Your situation
Starting with Tokyo, we will hold the vote around the country.
The answer is hidden. Try to use 〜を皮切りに.
Remember tomorrow
Save this pattern as a flashcard
Review the meaning and formula later so today’s lesson moves into long-term memory.