最初(さいしょ)

さいしょ
noun
first, beginning
time-general
1. first, beginning
The first one in a sequence, or the starting point of something. Can function as a noun or adverbial expression.
最初(さいしょ)から読(よ)んでください。
Please read from the beginning.
最初(さいしょ)は難(むずか)しかったです。
It was difficult at first.
最初(さいしょ)に名前(なまえ)を書(か)いてください。
Please write your name first.
最初(さいしょ)に is the adverbial form: "first," "to begin with."
最初(さいしょ)の一歩(いっぽ)が大切(たいせつ)です。
The first step is important.
日本(にほん)に来(き)た最初(さいしょ)の日(ひ)は、何(なに)も分(わ)からなくて大変(たいへん)でした。
On my first day in Japan, I didn't understand anything and it was tough.

最初(さいしょ) means "first" or "beginning" and can function as a noun or adverbially.

Common patterns

  • 最初(さいしょ)に: first, at first (adverbial)
  • 最初(さいしょ)から: from the beginning
  • 最初(さいしょ)は: at first, initially
  • 最初(さいしょ)の〜: the first ~ (attributive)

Similar words

Opposite of 最後(さいご) (last, end).

WHY 最初は OFTEN SIGNALS A CHANGE:
Because は contrasts, 最初(さいしょ)は almost always sets up a "but later…" clause. A listener hearing it expects the situation to have changed:
最初(さいしょ)は難(むずか)しかったがだんだん慣(な)れた。
(It was difficult at first, but I gradually got used to it.)
By contrast, 最初(さいしょ)に simply orders steps and implies no such reversal.

Related Words

Antonym: 最後(さいご) (last, final)
Compare: 初(はじ)めて (for the first time)
Compare: 初(はじ)め (beginning)
Compare: 初回(しょかい) (first time, first round, first inning)
Compare: 第一(だいいち)に (firstly)
Compare: 最初(さいしょ)から (from the start)
Compare: 最古(さいこ) (oldest)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:29 · Revised 2026.10.3 4:36
00500/00882_saisho