～始(はじ)める

Forms

Attaches to the masu-stem (連用形(れんようけい)) of verbs:

• 降(ふ)る → 降(ふ)り + 始(はじ)める → 降(ふ)り始(はじ)める
• 食(た)べる → 食(た)べ + 始(はじ)める → 食(た)べ始(はじ)める
• する → し + 始(はじ)める → し始(はじ)める

The compound conjugates as an ichidan verb (始(はじ)める).

Similar words

• ～始(はじ)める vs. ～出(だ)す: Both mean "to start doing," but ～出(だ)す implies a more sudden or spontaneous onset. 泣(な)き出(だ)す (to burst out crying) feels more abrupt than 泣(な)き始(はじ)める (to start crying). ～出(だ)す is also used for involuntary actions more naturally.

Common collocations

• 読(よ)み始(はじ)める (start reading)
• 走(はし)り始(はじ)める (start running)
• 使(つか)い始(はじ)める (start using)
• 動(うご)き始(はじ)める (start moving)