発端(ほったん)

発端(ほったん) emphasizes the triggering event or the very beginning of something. It is commonly used when tracing back to the cause or origin of events, especially problems or conflicts.

Common patterns

• ～が発端(ほったん)だ (something was the starting point)
• ～の発端(ほったん) (the origin of something)
• ～を発端(ほったん)に (starting from; triggered by)

Common collocations

• 事件(じけん)の発端(ほったん) (the origin of an incident)
• 問題(もんだい)の発端(ほったん) (the root of a problem)
• 紛争(ふんそう)の発端(ほったん) (the trigger for a conflict)

Related words

きっかけ (trigger, opportunity) is more casual and can be positive. 発端(ほったん) is more formal and often describes the start of problems or significant events.