Time and sequence

～始める

begin to ~; start ~ing

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How to form it

  • Verb (ます-stem) + 始める

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Explanation

Attaches to a verb stem to show the start of an action.

It is natural for actions that someone begins on purpose and for natural events (桜が咲き始める). It can show the start of a continuing action.

Examples

  1. 先月からピアノを習い始めた。

    せんげつからピアノをならいはじめた。

    I started learning the piano last month.

  2. この本は読み始めたばかりだ。

    このほんはよみはじめたばかりだ。

    I have only just started reading this book.

  3. 桜が咲き始めると、公園に人が増える。

    さくらがさきはじめると、こうえんにひとがふえる。

    When the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, more people come to the park.

  4. 彼は去年から日本語を勉強し始めた。

    かれはきょねんからにほんごをべんきょうしはじめた。

    He started studying Japanese last year.

Compare with

  • ～出す: 出す is for a sudden start and is more spontaneous or emotional; 始める is a calmer, general start.

Common mistakes

  • Using it with a verb for which a start is not meaningful, such as 見つける, or with instant events.