Meaning and Usage
The verb 始める (はじめる) means "to start" or "to begin" something. It is a transitive verb, so it requires a direct object — the thing that is being started. This verb is commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate the initiation of an action, event, or process.
Common Collocations and Patterns
- 始める + noun (e.g., 勉強を始める): to start doing something
- ～を始める (particle を marks the object that is started)
- 始める前に (before starting): used to talk about preparation or conditions before beginning
Register and Politeness
始める is a neutral, standard verb suitable for casual and polite speech when conjugated appropriately. For more formal contexts, 始めます (polite form) or other expressions like 開始する may be used.
Common Learner Mistake
A frequent mistake is confusing 始める (transitive) with 始まる (はじまる, intransitive), which means "something begins" by itself. Remember 始める requires a direct object, while 始まる does not.
Practical Tips
Use 始める when you want to express that someone initiates an action or event. For example, "映画を始める" means "to start a movie" (someone starts playing it). If you want to say "The movie starts," use 始まる instead.