Hajimeru is the Japanese verb for ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’, explained

What does “hajimeru” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “hajimeru” to mean ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese. Probably, many Japanese learners know this verb as it is often used in Japanese textbooks. In this blog post, however, I will explain this verb together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to use “hajimeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “hajimeru”
  • Example #1: how to say “start” in Japanese
• Hajimenai: the nai form of “hajimeru”
  • Example #2: how to say “don’t start” in Japanese
• Hajimeyou: the volitional form of “hajimeru”
  • Example #3: how to say “let’s start” in Japanese
• Hajimemasu: the masu form of “hajimeru”
  • Example #4: how to say “start” politely in Japanese
• Hajimeta: the ta form of “hajimeru”
  • Example #5: how to say “started” in Japanese
• Hajimete: the te form of “hajimeru”
  • Example #6: how to say “please start” in Japanese
• Hajimereba: the ba form of “hajimeru”
  • Example #7: how to say “if start” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “hajimeru”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of “hajimeru”.

• hajimeru – 始める (はじめる) : a verb meaning ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese.

The definition and meanings are simple and clear, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “start” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
• kyou – 今日 (きょう) : a noun meaning ‘today’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb to day “today” in Japanese.
• atarashii – 新しい (あたらしい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘new’ in Japanese.
• shigoto – 仕事 (しごと) : a noun meaning ‘job’, ‘work’, or such in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “atarashii shigoto” to make the object in the sentence.

This is a typical usage of “hajimeru”. In the example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object. When we want to mean ‘to start’ in Japanese, this verb is a very good option.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “hajimeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “hajimenai”.

Hajimenai: the nai form of “hajimeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hajimenai”.

• hajimenai – 始めない (はじめない) : the nai form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘not to begin’ or ‘not to start’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hajimenai” consists of the following two parts:

• hajime – 始め (はじめ) : one conjugation of “hajimeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
• nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hajimenai” is literally the nai form of “hajimeru” and means ‘not to begin’ or ‘not to start’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this nai form through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “don’t start” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “kanojo” to make its plural form, “kanojo tachi”, which means ‘they’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “hajimenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to start’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.

Hajimeyou: the volitional form of “hajimeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hajimeyou”.

• hajimeyou – 始めよう (はじめよう) : the volitional form of “hajimeru”, which expresses volition to begin or start.

Grammatically, “hajimeyou” consists of the following two parts:

• hajime – 始め (はじめ) : one conjugation of “hajimeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
• you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hajimeyou” is literally the volitional form of “hajimeru” and expresses volition to begin or start. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #3: how to say “let’s start” in Japanese

Below is the new word used in the example sentence.

• jinsei – 人生 (じんせい) : a noun meaning ‘life’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.

This is a typical usage of “hajimeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s start” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.

Hajimemasu: the masu form of “hajimeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hajimemasu”.

• hajimemasu – 始めます (はじめます) : the masu form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ politely in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hajimemasu” consists of the following two parts:

• hajime – 始め (はじめ) : one conjugation of “hajimeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hajimemasu” is literally the masu form of “hajimeru” and means ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentence below.

Example #4: how to say “start” politely in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kodomo – 子供 (こども) : a noun meaning ‘child’ or ‘kid’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• gakunen – 学年 (がくねん) : a noun meaning ‘school year’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.

This is a typical usage of “hajimemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “start” or “begin” politely in Japanese, this form is a very good option.

Hajimeta: the ta form of “hajimeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hajimeta”.

• hajimeta – 始めた (はじめた) : the ta form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘began’ or ‘started’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hajimeta” consists of the following two parts:

• hajime – 始め (はじめ) : one conjugation of “hajimeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hajimeta” is literally the ta form of “hajimeru” and means ‘began’ or ‘started’ in Japanese. Let me explain how to use it through the example sentence below.

Example #5: how to say “started” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kyonen – 去年 (きょねん) : a noun meaning ‘last year’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb to say “last year” in Japanese.
• tokyo – 東京 (とうきょう) : a noun meaning ‘Tokyo’ in Japanese.
• de – で : a case particle used to say where someone does something. In the example, this is used after “tokyo” to say where the speaker started his/her life.
• seikatsu – 生活 (せいかつ) : a noun meaning ‘life’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “hajimeta”. When we want to say “started” in Japanese, this ta form is a good option.

Hajimete: the te form of “hajimeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hajimete”.

• hajimete – 始めて (はじめて) : the te form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hajimete” consists of the following two parts:

• hajime – 始め (はじめ) : one conjugation of “hajimeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hajimete” is literally the te form of “hajimeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “hajimete” is very useful when we want to use “hajimeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #6: how to say “please start” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• happyou – 発表 (はっぴょう) : a noun meaning ‘presentation’ or such in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work as an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the example, this works as an auxiliary verb after “hajimete” to add the meaning of ‘please’.

This is a typical usage of “hajimete”. In this example, it has the smooth connection with “kudasai”. When we want to use “hajimeru” in front of an auxiliary verb, its te form is very useful.

Hajimereba: the ba form of “hajimeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hajimereba”.

• hajimereba – 始めれば (はじめれば) : the ba form of “hajimeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hajimereba” consists of the following two parts:

• hajimere – 始めれ (はじめれ) : one conjugation of “hajimeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
• ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hajimereba” is literally the ba form of “hajimeru”. In Japanese, ba-formed words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “hajimereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #7: how to say “if start” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• undou – 運動 (うんどう) : a noun meaning ‘exercise’ or such in Japanese.
• kenkou – 健康 (けんこう) : a noun meaning ‘health’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say what situation or state someone is in after a change or action. In the example, this is used after “kenkou” to indicate the state in which the listener will be after starting exercise.
• naru – なる : a verb meaning ‘to become’, ‘to get’, ‘to turn’, or such in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “hajimereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “undou wo hajimereba”, which means ‘if you start exercise’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese, this form is a good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained “hajimeru” and its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• hajimeru – 始める (はじめる) : a verb meaning ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese.
• hajimenai – 始めない (はじめない) : the nai form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘not to begin’ or ‘not to start’ in Japanese.
• hajimeyou – 始めよう (はじめよう) : the volitional form of “hajimeru”, which expresses volition to begin or start.
• hajimemasu – 始めます (はじめます) : the masu form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ politely in Japanese.
• hajimeta – 始めた (はじめた) : the ta form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘began’ or ‘started’ in Japanese.
• hajimete – 始めて (はじめて) : the te form of “hajimeru”, which means ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese.
• hajimereba – 始めれば (はじめれば) : the ba form of “hajimeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to begin’ or ‘to start’ in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.