最初(さいしょ)

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)

DISTINCTION:

• 最初(さいしょ): the first (in sequence/time), beginning
• 初(はじ)めて: for the first time (first experience)
• 初(はじ)め: beginning (often in 初(はじ)めに)

CONTRAST:
Opposite of 最後(さいご) (last, end).

EXAMPLE USAGE:
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.)