first · beginning

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 初 has seven strokes and uses the on-reading しょ and kun-readings such as はつ and はじめ.
• Basic usage: It describes the beginning of a sequence, a first experience, or the opening day of an event.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• First in order and a first experience
  • 最初(さいしょ) identifies the first part of an order or period; 初めて(はじめて) describes experiencing an action for the first time.
  • Doing something before other people does not by itself imply the first-ever experience expressed by 初めて.
• Reading opening day
  • For a course or exhibition, 初日 is read しょにち. The kun-reading はつ is not used in every compound.