Usage of ～始める
The suffix ～始める attaches to the stem of a verb to express the beginning of an action. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate that someone or something has just started doing something.
Nuances and Context
Using ～始める implies that the action is newly initiated and ongoing. It often conveys a sense of change or transition from not doing the action to starting it. This form is neutral in politeness and can be used in both casual and formal contexts depending on the rest of the sentence.
Common Collocations
- Verb stem + 始める: to start doing the verb action
- ～し始める: often used with する verbs (e.g., 勉強し始める, 運動し始める)
- 雨が降り始める: a common phrase meaning "it starts to rain"
Tips for Learners
A common mistake is confusing ～始める with ～出す, which also means "to start doing something." While both are similar, ～出す often implies a sudden or unexpected start, whereas ～始める is more neutral and simply states the beginning of an action.
Remember to attach ～始める to the verb stem, not the dictionary form. For example, 食べる becomes 食べ始める, not 食べる始める.