初心(しょしん)

しょしん
noun
beginner's mind; original intention
cognitionculture
1. original intention; initial resolution
the original motivation or determination one had when starting something
初心(しょしん)を忘(わす)れずに頑張(がんば)る。
I'll do my best without forgetting my original intention.
初心(しょしん)に戻(もど)って考(かんが)え直(なお)した。
I went back to basics and reconsidered.
初心(しょしん)を貫(つらぬ)いて夢(ゆめ)を叶(かな)えた。
She stayed true to her original intention and achieved her dream.
初心(しょしん)に返(かえ)って基礎(きそ)から学(まな)び直(なお)す。
I'll go back to a beginner's mindset and relearn from the basics.
2. beginner's mind; novice mindset
the mindset of a beginner, characterized by openness and eagerness
初心者(しょしんしゃ)は初心(しょしん)を大切(たいせつ)にすべきだ。
Beginners should value their beginner's mindset.
経験(けいけん)を積(つ)んでも初心(しょしん)の謙虚(けんきょ)さを持(も)ち続(つづ)けたい。
Even as I gain experience, I want to maintain the humility of a beginner.
初心(しょしん)に返(かえ)って基礎(きそ)から学(まな)び直(なお)す。
I'll go back to a beginner's mindset and relearn from the basics.

Famous phrase

初心(しょしん)忘(わす)るべからず - "Don't forget the beginner's mind"
A famous saying by 世阿弥(ぜあみ) (Zeami), the influential Noh playwright, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the earnestness and humility one had at the beginning.

Zen concept

In Zen Buddhism, 初心(しょしん) (Shoshin) refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, even at advanced levels.

Common expressions

Related words

Related Words

Related: 初心者(しょしんしゃ) (beginner (person))
Compare: 初志(しょし) (original intention)
general
Added 2026.1.27 22:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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