1.
beginning of the month; start of the month
The first few days of a calendar month. Used when referring to events, deadlines, or schedules at the start of a month.
月初めに会議がある。
There's a meeting at the beginning of the month.
家賃は毎月月初めに払います。
I pay rent at the beginning of each month.
月初めから新しいプロジェクトが始まるので、準備しておいてください。
A new project starts at the beginning of the month, so please prepare.
月初め refers to the first few days of a calendar month, typically the first through fifth.
USAGE:
Often used with particles に or から when specifying timing: 月初めに (at the beginning of the month), 月初めから (from the beginning of the month).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 月初めに届く: to arrive at the beginning of the month
- 月初めに払う: to pay at the beginning of the month
- 来月の月初め: the beginning of next month
RELATED TIME EXPRESSIONS:
- 月末: end of the month
- 月半ば: middle of the month
- 月頭: beginning of the month (more formal, business-oriented)
- 上旬: first third of the month (days 1-10)