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始
On'yomi
シ
SHI
Kun'yomi
はじ.める・-はじ.める・はじ.まる
hajimeru / hajimeru / hajimaru
commence · begin
Details
Stroke Order
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Strokes8
Component Breakdown
始=
女台
woman + 台
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of woman and platform. Beginning of woman bearing child.
Symbolism
Start, founder, settlement. Represents starting point of things.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一部始終
いちぶしじゅう
full particulars; all the details; the whole story; full particulars
終始一貫
しゅうしいっかん
consistently; unchangingly; throughout; consistently
無始無終
むしむしゅう
everlastingness; eternity; everlastingness
Proverbs & Idioms
始めあれば終わりあり
はじめあればおわりあり
What has a beginning has an end
Everything that starts must end
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 始 mean in Japanese?
始 means commence, begin.
How do you read 始?
On'yomi: シ (SHI). Kun'yomi: はじ.める、-はじ.める、はじ.まる (hajimeru, hajimeru, hajimaru).
How many strokes does 始 have?
始 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 女 (woman).
Is 始 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 始 (commence, begin) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.