初 陣(ういじん)

ういじん

noun

first battle; first campaign; debut

1. first battle; first campaign; debut; first time doing something challenging

Originally a military term for a warrior's first battle. Now commonly used figuratively for someone's first significant challenge, competition, or professional debut.

初陣(ういじん)を飾(かざ)る。

To make a successful debut.

新人(しんじん)監督(かんとく)が初陣(ういじん)で勝利(しょうり)をおさめた。

The rookie coach won his first game.

選挙(せんきょ)の初陣(ういじん)は落選(らくせん)に終(お)わったが、貴重(きちょう)な経験(けいけん)になった。

His first election campaign ended in defeat, but it was a valuable experience.

Originally referred to a samurai's first battle, marking a rite of passage into adulthood. In modern usage, it is applied figuratively to any significant first challenge — a coach's first game, a politician's first election, an athlete's first competition, etc.

Common collocations

初陣(ういじん)を飾(かざ)る: to have a successful debut
初陣(ういじん)を果(は)たす: to complete one's first battle/debut
初陣(ういじん)で勝利(しょうり): to win on one's debut
選挙(せんきょ)の初陣(ういじん): first election campaign

Etymology

初(うい) is an archaic reading meaning 'first' (also seen in 初々(ういうい)しい). 陣(じん) means 'battle formation' or 'camp.' The combination literally means 'first battle.'

Similar words

デビュー: debut — loanword, used broadly for first public appearances
初戦(しょせん): first match/game — specifically for sports matches
初舞台(はつぶたい): first stage performance — specifically for performing arts

Related Words

Compare: デビュー (debut)

Compare: 初戦(しょせん) (first match/game)

Compare: 初舞台(はつぶたい) (first stage performance)

general

Added 2026.4.4 5:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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