Posted inN4 Grammar

Let’s Start! Mastering 始める (hajimeru) for JLPT N4

Posted inN4 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

To begin doing something; to start an action.

🎯 Primary Function

Indicates the initiation or commencement of an action described by the preceding verb.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb ます-stem + 始める (hajimeru)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in moderately formal contexts, though more formal verbs or phrasing might be preferred in very high-level formal writing/speech.

😊 Informal Situations

Very commonly used in everyday conversations.

✍️ Written Language

Used in various forms of writing, from casual blogs to more structured articles.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Frequently used in daily conversation.

💡 Common Applications

Starting a physical action
Used to say someone started doing a physical activity.
Example: 彼女は走り始めました。 (Kanojo wa hashiri hajimemashita.) – She started running.
Starting a continuous action or state
Used to indicate the beginning of an action or state that continues over time.
Example: 雨が降り始めました。 (Ame ga furi hajimemashita.) – It started raining.
Starting a new habit or study
Often used when talking about beginning to learn something or starting a new routine.
Example: 日本語を勉強し始めました。 (Nihongo o benkyou shi hajimemashita.) – I started studying Japanese.
📊
Frequency
Very common.
🎚️
Difficulty
Relatively easy for N4, mainly involving correct verb conjugation.
Example Sentences
子供たちが公園で遊び始めました。
The children started playing in the park.
彼は先週から日本語を習い始めました。
He started learning Japanese last week.
電車がゆっくり動き始めた。
The train slowly started to move.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Verb ます-stem form is crucial.
Always attach 始める to the ます-stem (masu-kei) of the verb.
Example: 読む (yomu) -> 読みます (yomimasu) -> 読み始めます (yomi hajimemasu) – Start reading.
Focus on the action’s beginning.
This pattern specifically highlights the *point in time* when an action starts, not the state of having started.
Example: 雨が降り始めた (Ame ga furi hajimeta) – It started raining (focus on the moment the rain began).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using dictionary form or Te-form instead of ます-stem.
✅ Verb ます-stem + 始める
This is the standard and only correct conjugation for this pattern.
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness is determined by the conjugation of 始める itself (始める, 始めます, 始めた, 始めましょう, etc.).
Social Situations: Appropriate for most social situations.
Regional Variations: Standard across Japan.

🔍 Subtle Differences

〜始める (hajimeru) vs. 始まる (hajimaru)
始める (hajimeru) is a transitive verb meaning “to start *something*” or “to start *doing* something”. It attaches to another verb’s ます-stem to indicate that *someone or something* begins *that action*. 始まる (hajimaru) is an intransitive verb meaning “something *starts* (on its own)”.
When to use: Use 始める when the subject is performing an action or when the action starts as a result of something. Use 始まる when an event, meeting, class, etc., begins on its own or when focusing on the event itself starting.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

始める (hajimeru) is an Ichidan verb, meaning its conjugation is straightforward (e.g., 始めます, 始めない, 始めた, 始められる, etc.). The preceding verb’s ます-stem does not change.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pay attention to the slight pause or smooth transition between the ます-stem and 始める.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of it as “Masu-stem + the verb ‘to start'”. It’s like saying “[doing the verb] + starts”.

Practice Exercises
彼は毎朝コーヒーを（\_\_\_\_\_\_）。
飲み始めます
飲む始めます
飲んで始めます
飲むの始めます
テストが（\_\_\_\_\_\_）から、みんな静かになった。
始まり
始めり
始まって
始めた
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