初旬

しょじゅん

first 10 days of the month

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"初旬" refers specifically to the first ten days of a month. It is commonly used in formal or business contexts to specify timing without giving an exact date.

Common Contexts

You will often see "初旬" in schedules, announcements, and plans, such as meeting dates, shipping times, or weather forecasts.

Collocations and Patterns

  • "今月の初旬" (the first ten days of this month): used to specify timing within the current month.
  • "初旬に〜する" (do something in the first ten days): a common pattern to indicate when an action will take place.

Register and Nuance

"初旬" is more formal than simply saying "月のはじめ" (beginning of the month). It is often used in written communication or polite speech.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "初旬" with "上旬" which also means the first ten days but is more frequently used. "初旬" is less common but still correct and slightly more formal.

Example Sentences

こんげつのしょじゅんにかいぎがあります。

There is a meeting in the first ten days of this month.

しょじゅんはまださむいひがつづきます。

The first ten days of the month are still cold days.

しょうひんのはっそうはしょじゅんにおこないます。

The product shipment will be done in the first ten days of the month.