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初

first time
Stroke count: 7

Readings

On readingショ
Kun readingはじ.め、はじ.めて、はつ、はつ-、うい-、-そ.める、-ぞ.め
JōyōGrade 4

Popular Usage

初め初めて最初初級初旬

Radicals and components

Radical刀knifeComponents

Mnemonic (RtK)

ⓘ

cloak · sword (刀) · dagger (刀)

From "Remembering the Kanji" by James Heisig · Frame 431

Compound words

初めてはじめて
for the first time; only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; not until ... do you ...; first time
最初さいしょ
beginning; outset; first; onset
初級しょきゅう
elementary level; beginner level
初旬しょじゅん
first 10 days of the month
初演しょえん
first performance; premiere
初夏しょか
early summer; fourth month of the lunar calendar
初回しょかい
first time; first innings; initial attempt; first; initial
初期しょき
early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning
初詣はつもうで
first shrine visit of the New Year
初出しょしゅつ
first appearance
初心しょしん
one's original intention; one's initial enthusiasm; inexperience; naivety; greenness
初雪はつゆき
first snow (of the season); first snowfall
初代しょだい
first generation; founder
初頭しょとう
beginning (of a century, etc.)
初日しょにち
first day; opening day
初版しょはん
first edition
初歩しょほ
basics; rudiments; elements; ABCs of ...
初夢はつゆめ
first dream of the New year (believed to foretell one's luck); dream on the night of setsubun
初恋はつこい
first love; puppy love
初老しょろう
past middle age; nearing old age; near-elderly; age 40
当初とうしょ
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning
年初ねんしょ
beginning of the year
初陣ういじん
one's first campaign; one's first battle
初年しょねん
first year; early years (of a reign or era)

Stroke Order

7 strokes

Practice Writing

Practice Writing 初

Draw with a guide, then from memory — checked at every step

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