begin
N4- Onyomi
- シ
- Kunyomi
- はじ(める)
- Stroke count
- 8
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 始 down and you get 女 (woman) — a figure kneeling with arms folded, and beside it 台 (stand / platform) — a raised block to set things on. Picture a woman starting the very first stitch of a seam, put 始 inside it, and let that scene stand for "begin" — begin. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 8
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は8画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 8 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
開始
kaishi
start
始まる
hajimaru
to begin
始める
hajimeru
to start something
始めて
hajimete
start something — te-form
始まって
hajimatte
begin — te-form
始めます
hajimemasu
start something — polite present
Example sentences (3)
授業は九時に始まります。
じゅぎょう は くじ に はじまります。
jugyou wa kuji ni hajimarimasu.
Class begins at nine.
映画がもうすぐ始まります。
えいが が もうすぐ はじまります。
eiga ga mousugu hajimarimasu.
The movie will begin soon.
今日から日本語の勉強を始めます。
きょう から にほんご の べんきょう を はじめます。
kyou kara nihongo no benkyou o hajimemasu.
I will start studying Japanese today.