This means you start doing something. It shows an action has just begun.
Verb [stem] + 始めるPrimary
This means you start doing something. It shows an action has just begun.
３年前からピアノを習い始めました。
I started learning the piano three years ago.
彼はまだ新しいプロジェクトに取り掛かり始めていない。
He hasn't started working on the new project yet.
走り始めたばかりのランナーは、まだペースが掴めていないようだ。
The runner who just started running doesn't seem to have found their pace yet.
雨が降り始めたので、急いで建物の中に入った。
Because it started to rain, I hurried inside the building.
そろそろ食べ始めようか。お腹すいた。
Shall we start eating soon? I'm hungry.
This grammar is for actions that take some time. Think of it like a journey starting. You would not use it for actions that happen very fast, like a light switch turning on.
This is different from 〜出す (dasu). Both mean to start something. But 〜始める (hajimeru) is a normal start. 〜出す (dasu) means a sudden start. It can be surprising. For example, 'to start crying' is 泣き始める (nakihajimeru). 'To suddenly cry' is 泣き出す (nakidasu).
Don't use this when something is already happening or is a state. For example, you cannot say "begin to know" with this grammar.
Often confused with(2)
Contrasts with(2)
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