始まる

• Reading: はじまる
• Romaji: hajimaru
• Kanji breakdown: 始 (shi/haji) — to begin, to start
• Pronunciation: /ha.dʑi.ma.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To begin; to start; to commence. An intransitive verb for things that begin on their own.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with an る stem. This is the intransitive version — things start by themselves. The transitive counterpart is 始める (hajimeru, someone starts something). Commonly used for events, seasons, classes, and films.

Examples

1. 授業は九時に始まります。 Class starts at nine o'clock.
2. 映画がもう始まった。 The movie has already started.
3. 来週から夏休みが始まる。 Summer vacation starts next week.

Usage Guide

Context: school, events, daily schedule

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 始 combines 女 (woman) and 台 (platform/origin), suggesting the concept of the beginning or origin of something.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal