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JLPT N4Verb Forms

〜始める(はじめる) — Intentional Beginnings

A compound-verb suffix expressing the start of an action. Unlike 出す, this is usually a calm, neutral, or intentional beginning.

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Pro lessonUNIT 16 · VERB FORMS

Structure · 形

[Verb masu-stem] + 始める

Examples · 例文

  • 最近ピアノを弾き始めました。

    Saikin piano o hikihajimemashita.

    I recently started playing the piano.

    弾き (play) + 始めました (started)

  • 会議を始めましょう。

    Kaigi o hajimemashō.

    Let's start the meeting.

    Controlled, intentional start

  • 四月から新しい会社で働き始めます。

    Shigatsu kara atarashii kaisha de hatarakihajimemasu.

    I'll start working at a new company in April.

    働き (work) + 始めます (will start) — a planned, intentional beginning

Usage notes · 注意

  • 始める vs 出す: 始める = calm or intentional start (begins eating, starts the meeting). 出す = sudden/unexpected start (burst into tears, started to pour rain).
  • The Aspect Trio: 〜始める (start), 〜続ける (continue), 〜終わる (finish). They all bolt directly onto the masu-stem of verbs.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones 〜始める is tested against.

vs〜出す (abruptly begin)

〜始める is a deliberate/neutral onset you can plan or announce (会議を始める). 〜出す is sudden and uncontrolled (泣き出す) and cannot be used for planned actions.

vs始める (as a standalone verb)

As an independent verb, 始める takes a direct object with を (勉強を始める = begin studying). As a suffix it attaches to another verb's stem (勉強し始める) to mark the start of that action itself.

More verb forms

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