まず

まず

adverb

first, to begin with

1. first, first of all, to begin with

Used to indicate the first action in a sequence or to introduce the first point.

まず手(て)を洗(あら)ってください。

First, please wash your hands.

まず名前(なまえ)を言(い)ってください。

First, please say your name.

まずコーヒーを飲(の)みましょう。

Let's have some coffee first.

まず日本語(にほんご)で話(はな)してみてください。

First, try speaking in Japanese.

まずここに座(すわ)ってください。それから話(はなし)を聞(き)きましょう。

First, please sit here. Then let's listen to the story.

まず自己紹介(じこしょうかい)から始(はじ)めましょう。

Let's start with self-introductions first.

2. for now, for the time being

Can indicate doing something as a first step before proceeding.

まず落(お)ち着(つ)いてください。

First, please calm down.

まず食(た)べて、話(はなし)はそれからだ。

Let's eat first, and talk after that.

まずは乾杯(かんぱい)しましょう。

For now, let's make a toast.

まず様子(ようす)を見(み)よう。

Let's wait and see for now.

まずお茶(ちゃ)でも飲(の)んで、ゆっくりしてください。

For now, have some tea and relax.

まず is an adverb used to indicate the first step or action in a sequence. It's essential for giving instructions and explaining procedures.

Common patterns

まず〜てください: First, please do...
まず〜から始(はじ)める: to start with...
まず〜て、それから〜: First do..., then...

RELATED WORDS (sequence):

まず: first
それから / 次(つぎ)に: then, next
最後(さいご)に: finally, lastly

Forms

まずは is a slightly more emphatic form, often used to suggest doing something "for now" or "as a first step" before addressing other matters.

Watch out

With a judgment or a negative, まず is not "first" but "almost certainly": まず間違(まちが)いない (there's almost certainly no mistake), まず無理(むり)だ (it's next to impossible). Read the rest of the sentence before taking it as a sequence word.

Related Words

Related: それから (then, after that)

Related: 次(つぎ) (next)

Antonym: 最後(さいご) (last, finally)

Synonym: はじめに (to begin with, first of all)

Compare: 第一(だいいち)に (firstly)

Related: 次(つぎ)に (then, next)

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:59 · Revised 2026.10.8 9:57

00500/00796_mazu