Translation guide
The English verb 'begin' can be expressed in Japanese through several verbs and constructions, depending on whether the action is starting spontaneously, being started by someone, or marking the beginning of an event or state. The most common equivalents are 始める (transitive) and 始まる (intransitive).
The subject starts an action or activity.
Transitive verb meaning 'to begin (something)'. Used when the subject initiates an action. Attaches to the continuative form (masu-stem) of verbs to mean 'begin to do'.
私は日本語を勉強し始めた。
I began studying Japanese.
彼は新しいプロジェクトを始めた。
He began a new project.
Formal, often written, meaning 'to commence' or 'to start'. Used in official contexts, schedules, and announcements.
会議を開始します。
We will begin the meeting.
サービスを開始する予定です。
We plan to begin the service.
Formal term meaning 'to embark on' or 'to set about' a task or project. Often used in business or technical contexts.
新製品の開発に着手した。
We began development of the new product.
Something begins or starts on its own.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to begin' or 'to start'. Used when the subject itself begins, without an explicit agent.
映画が始まった。
The movie began.
新学期は4月に始まります。
The new school year begins in April.
Loanword from English 'start'. Casual and commonly used in sports, races, and informal contexts.
レースがスタートした。
The race began.
Expresses the start of an action by attaching to another verb.
Attach 始める to the continuative form (masu-stem) of a verb to mean 'begin to V'. This is the most common way to express starting an action.
Similar to 始める, but often implies a sudden or unexpected start. Common with verbs like 降り出す (start raining), 泣き出す (burst into tears).
突然雨が降り出した。
Suddenly it began to rain.
Used as a discourse marker to introduce the first point or initial situation.
Means 'first of all' or 'to begin with'. Used when listing points or steps.
初めに、自己紹介をします。
To begin with, I will introduce myself.
Means 'at first' or 'initially', often contrasting with a later change.
最初は難しかったが、慣れた。
At first it was difficult, but I got used to it.
Expresses the onset of a state, often with adjective + なる or verb + ようになる.
Use with adjectives to indicate a change of state. For i-adjectives, replace い with く + なる; for na-adjectives, add に + なる.
寒くなってきた。
It's beginning to get cold.
彼は有名になり始めた。
He began to become famous.
Indicates a change in ability or habit, 'come to (be able to) do'. Often used when someone begins to do something they didn't before.
日本語が話せるようになった。
I began to be able to speak Japanese.
始める is transitive (someone starts something), while 始まる is intransitive (something starts). Compare: 先生が授業を始めた (The teacher started the class) vs. 授業が始まった (The class started).
While 'begin' and 'start' are often interchangeable in English, Japanese uses different verbs for starting machines (動かす, つける) or engines (エンジンをかける). Use 始める/始まる for activities and events.