1.
origin; beginning; starting point; catalyst
The event or circumstance that triggered or started something, especially a conflict, problem, or series of events.
事件の発端は些細な口論だった。
The incident was triggered by a trivial argument.
それが二人の出会いの発端だった。
That was the beginning of their meeting.
この問題の発端は何年も前にさかのぼる。
The origin of this problem goes back many years.
発端 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:
- ～が発端だ (something was the starting point)
- ～の発端 (the origin of something)
- ～を発端に (starting from; triggered by)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 事件の発端 (the origin of an incident)
- 問題の発端 (the root of a problem)
- 紛争の発端 (the trigger for a conflict)
RELATED WORDS:
きっかけ} (trigger, opportunity) is more casual and can be positive. {発端 is more formal and often describes the start of problems or significant events.