初
first time · beginning
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of clothing and sword. Beginning of cutting cloth.
Symbolism
Beginner, first, beginning. Represents start.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Flow of time
Component Breakdown
clothes + sword
Words & Expressions
Words written with 初
Four-Character Compounds
初志貫徹
しょしかんてつ
carrying out one's original intention
Proverbs & Idioms
初心忘るべからず
しょしんわするべからず
Never forget the beginner's spirit
Always remember the pure intentions you had at the start
Poetry
心あてに 折らばや折らむ 初霜の おきまどはせる 白菊の花
If I pick one it will be by guess alone — the first frost has fallen and I cannot tell it from the white chrysanthemums.
恋すてふ わが名はまだき 立ちにけり 人知れずこそ 思ひ初めしか
Rumour that I am in love has gone around already, and I had only just begun to feel it, in secret.
憂かりける 人を初瀬の 山おろしよ はげしかれとは 祈らぬものを
Wind off the mountains of Hatsuse, I prayed that she might soften toward me, not that you should blow so fiercely.
初しぐれ猿も小蓑をほしげなり
First winter rain — even the monkey looks like he wants a little straw cape.
Anime & Manga
百瀬アキラの初恋破綻中。
Akira Failing in Love
A well-known work with 初 in its Japanese title.
消えた初恋
My Love Mix-Up!
A well-known work with 初 in its Japanese title.
目黒さんは初めてじゃない
Meguro-san wa Hajimete Janai
A well-known work with 初 in its Japanese title.
アラサーだけど、初恋です。
Arasa Dakedo, Hatsukoi desu.
A well-known work with 初 in its Japanese title.
初恋ゾンビ
Hatsukoi Zombie
A well-known work with 初 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 初 mean in Japanese?
初 means first time, beginning.
How do you read 初?
On'yomi: ショ (SHO). Kun'yomi: はじ.め、はじ.めて、はつ、はつ-、うい-、-そ.める、-ぞ.め (hajime, hajimete, hatsu, hatsu, ui, someru, zome).
How many strokes does 初 have?
初 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 刀 (knife).
Is 初 a good kanji for a tattoo?
初 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means first time, beginning. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:beginning