Kanji meanings › Beginning
Kanji for Beginning
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “beginning”: 序、甫、始、肇. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
beginning
An opening or prelude; the first step of a great story.
7 strokes On reading ジョ (jo) Kun reading ついで (tsuide) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: preface, beginning, order, precedence, occasion
Readings used for names on Nazuke: jo
beginning
Just beginning; a fresh start, and once a title of respect for men.
7 strokes On reading ホ、フ (ho, fu) Kun reading はじめて (hajimete) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: for the first time, not until
Readings used for names on Nazuke: suke, toshi, hajime, fu, ho
In Japan it appears in about 322 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, in both boys’ and girls’ names.
beginning
The beginning of something new.
8 strokes On reading シ (shi) Kun reading はじめる、はじまる (hajimeru, hajimaru) JLPT N3
Dictionary meanings: commence, begin
Readings used for names on Nazuke: shi
beginning
To begin and found something new.
14 strokes On reading チョウ、ジョウ、トウ (chou, jou, tou) Kun reading はじめる、はじめ (hajimeru, hajime) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: beginning
Readings used for names on Nazuke: tadashi, chou, toshi, hajime
Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
Put it in your name
Nazuke writes your first name in kanji, choosing characters for both sound and meaning.