初(はつ)

Usage

Attaches directly to nouns: 初(はつ)〜. Very productive — can combine with a wide range of nouns. Some combinations are established set words, while others can be formed freely. In news writing it also stands alone as 初(はつ)の〜 (the first ~): 初(はつ)の女性(じょせい)首相(しゅしょう) (the first woman prime minister).

Compounds

• 初(はつ)雪(ゆき): first snow (of the season)
• 初(はつ)恋(こい): first love
• 初(はつ)日(ひ)の出(で): first sunrise (of the year)
• 初(はつ)詣(もうで): first shrine visit (of the year)
• 初(はつ)出場(しゅつじょう): first appearance/participation
• 初(はつ)優勝(ゆうしょう): first championship
• 初(はつ)体験(たいけん): first experience

Watch out

• The same kanji is read しょ in established Sino-Japanese compounds: 初期(しょき) (initial period), 初歩(しょほ) (basics)