初め (hajime) and 初めて (hajimete) look almost identical, and both relate to the idea of “first” or “beginning” — but they are used in very different situations. If you say 初めて when you mean 初め, or vice versa, your sentence will be grammatically off and confusing. The good news is that once you understand the core distinction, choosing between them becomes straightforward. This guide breaks it all down clearly with examples for every context.
YukaQuick question, Rei — when should I use 初め versus 初めて?
ReiAh, a classic mix-up! They’re related but definitely not interchangeable. I’ll explain with examples and it’ll make perfect sense.
At a Glance: 初め vs. 初めて
| Feature | 初め (hajime) | 初めて (hajimete) |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | The beginning / the first part | For the first time |
| Kanji | 初め | 初めて |
| Word type | Noun | Adverb |
| Answers “When?” vs. “How many times?” | When — the beginning of a period | How many times — first occurrence ever |
| Modifies nouns? | Yes — 初めの (at the beginning of) | Yes — 初めての (one’s first ever) |
| JLPT level | N4 | N4 |
初め (hajime) — “The Beginning”
初め is a noun meaning “the beginning” or “the first part” of something — a period, a story, a relationship, a process. It focuses on a point or section in time: the start. It answers the question “When in a sequence?” — specifically, “at the beginning.”
Common patterns: 初めは (at first / in the beginning), 初めに (first of all / to start with), 初めの + noun (the initial ~).
Example 1 — at the beginning of something:
初めは日本語が難しかった。
Hajime wa Nihongo ga muzukashikatta.
At first, Japanese was difficult.
Example 2 — modifying a noun:
初めの印象が大切です。
Hajime no inshou ga taisetsu desu.
First impressions are important.
Example 3 — at the start of a speech or process:
初めに自己紹介をしてください。
Hajime ni jikoshoukai wo shite kudasai.
Please introduce yourself first.
YukaOh interesting! So 初め can mean that too? I only knew the basic meaning.
ReiYes! 初め is more versatile than most learners realize. Native speakers use it in all sorts of situations — not just the obvious ones.
初めて (hajimete) — “For the First Time”
初めて is an adverb meaning “for the first time” — the first occurrence of an experience or event. It focuses on the novelty: this is something you have never done or encountered before. It answers the question “How many times have you done this?” — specifically, “this is the first time.”
Common patterns: 初めて + verb (do something for the first time), 初めての + noun (one’s first ~).
Example 1 — first-time experience:
初めて寿司を食べました。
Hajimete sushi wo tabemashita.
I ate sushi for the first time.
Example 2 — modifying a noun (first-ever):
これが初めての海外旅行です。
Kore ga hajimete no kaigai ryokou desu.
This is my first overseas trip.
Example 3 — meeting someone for the first time:
初めてお会いします。よろしくお願いします。
Hajimete oai shimasu. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
It’s my first time meeting you. Nice to meet you.
YukaWhat about 初めて? Is it used as often as 初め in daily conversation?
Rei初めて is super common too! The two words actually complement each other really well once you understand both.
The Difference in One Sentence
Here is the clearest way to remember the distinction:
| 初め (hajime) | 初めて (hajimete) | |
|---|---|---|
| Asks about… | Where in a sequence? | How many times has this happened? |
| Answer | “At the start / in the beginning” | “This is the first ever time” |
| Focus | A position in time | A new experience / first occurrence |
| Example | 初めはできなかった (At first I couldn’t) | 初めてできた！(I did it for the first time!) |
When They Both Modify Nouns
Both 初めの and 初めての can come before nouns, but with different meanings:
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 初めの一歩 | The first step (the opening step of a sequence) | 初めの一歩を踏み出す (Take the first step) |
| 初めての一歩 | One’s first-ever step (has never walked before / metaphorical) | 初めての一歩 (baby’s first step) |
| 初めの印象 | Initial / first impression (in a sequence) | 初めの印象は大切 (First impressions matter) |
| 初めての経験 | A first-ever experience | 初めての経験でした (It was my first experience) |
Decision Flowchart: 初め or 初めて?
Are you talking about something "first"?
|
v
Do you mean it was the FIRST-EVER OCCURRENCE
of an experience?
("I did X for the first time")
| |
YES NO
| |
v v
初めて (hajimete) Are you referring to
"for the first time" THE BEGINNING of a period
初めて食べた or sequence?
初めての経験 |
YES
|
v
初め (hajime)
"at the beginning"
初めは / 初めにQuick Quiz — Test Yourself!
YukaAlright, I think I understand both now. Time for a quiz to check!
ReiThat’s the spirit! Testing yourself is one of the best study techniques. Ready?
Fill in the blank with 初め or 初めて (add の or に as needed).
Q1. At first, I was nervous.
＿＿＿は緊張しました。
___ wa kincho shimashita.
Answer: 初め (hajime) → 初めは
Reason: “At first” = a position in the beginning of a period. 初めは is the correct expression.
Q2. I visited Japan for the first time last year.
去年、＿＿＿日本に行きました。
Kyonen, ___ Nihon ni ikimashita.
Answer: 初めて (hajimete)
Reason: First-ever occurrence of visiting Japan — 初めて is the correct adverb.
Q3. Please introduce yourself to start with.
＿＿＿に自己紹介をしてください。
___ ni jikoshoukai wo shite kudasai.
Answer: 初め (hajime) → 初めに
Reason: “To start with / first of all” — a position in a sequence. 初めに is the fixed expression.
Q4. This is my first time eating natto.
＿＿＿納豆を食べます。
___ natto wo tabemasu.
Answer: 初めて (hajimete)
Reason: First-ever experience of eating natto — 初めて is the correct word.
Q5. This was my first overseas trip.
これが私の＿＿＿の海外旅行でした。
Kore ga watashi no ___ no kaigai ryokou deshita.
Answer: 初めて (hajimete) → 初めての
Reason: “First-ever” modifying a noun — 初めての + noun is the pattern for first-ever experiences.
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あわせて読みたい
Looking for more “beginning and first” vocabulary? Check out our guide to 始める vs. 初めて — to start doing something vs. for the first time:
And for essential Japanese greetings — including はじめまして — see our complete greetings guide:
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