first time, beginning

About this kanji

The kanji 初 (しょ) means "first" or "beginning." It often appears in words that relate to starting something or experiencing something for the first time. It's used as a noun and can also act as a verb in some contexts. For example, 最初 (さいしょ) means "beginning," 初期 (しょき) refers to the "early days" of something, and 初日 (しょにち) translates to "first day." A useful note is that 初 is often combined with other kanji to signify the start of an event or period, highlighting its importance in expressions related to beginnings.

Example sentences

• 初めての旅行はとても楽しかった。

  The first trip was very enjoyable.

Meanings across languages

English

first time, beginning

Tiếng Việt

lần đầu, khởi đầu

日本語

初めて, 最初

한국어

처음, 시작

中文

初, 开始

id

pertama kali, awal

th

ครั้งแรก, เริ่มต้น

es

primera vez, comienzo

fr

première fois, début

de

erste Mal, Anfang

pt

primeira vez, início

Common compounds

• 最初さいしょbeginning, outset, first
• 初期しょきearly days, early years, early stages
• 初代しょだいfirst generation, founder
• 初日しょにちfirst day, opening day
• 当初とうしょbeginning, start, outset
• 初戦しょせんfirst match (in a series)
• 初演しょえんfirst performance, premiere
• 初夏しょかearly summer, fourth month of the lunar calendar