始発

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 始発 is read as しはつ and means the first train or first departure of the day.
• Basic usage: It can refer to catching an early first train or the first airport-bound train from a particular station.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Catching the first train
  • 始発 means the earliest train operating that day. Example: 早朝の始発に乗るため、暗いうちに家を出た。
• Stating its departure time
  • 始発 can be defined relative to a particular station and destination. Example: この駅から空港行きの始発は五時半に出る。