1.
to start ~ing; to begin to ~
Attaches to the masu-stem of a verb to indicate the beginning of an action. The resulting compound conjugates as an ichidan verb.
雨が降り始めた。
It started raining.
最近、日本語を勉強し始めました。
I recently started studying Japanese.
桜が咲き始めると、公園は花見の客でにぎわう。
When the cherry blossoms start blooming, the park bustles with hanami visitors.
FORMATION:
Attaches to the masu-stem (連用形) of verbs:
- 降る → 降り + 始める → 降り始める
- 食べる → 食べ + 始める → 食べ始める
- する → し + 始める → し始める
The compound conjugates as an ichidan verb (始める).
CONTRAST:
- ～始める vs. ～出す: Both mean "to start doing," but ～出す implies a more sudden or spontaneous onset. 泣き出す (to burst out crying) feels more abrupt than 泣き始める (to start crying). ～出す is also used for involuntary actions more naturally.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 読み始める (start reading)
- 走り始める (start running)
- 使い始める (start using)
- 動き始める (start moving)