はじめる

はじめる (始める) means to start or begin something. It links with the object being started, typically a verb or activity. Use をはじめる to indicate you start doing something, and the verb that follows is the action you begin. The nuance is that the action is initiated by the subject and will continue or be carried out from that point. It can also be used in contexts like starting a routine or taking on a new task; it often implies intentional decision or plan. In many cases, Japanese speakers use 始める after the stem form of a verb (ます-stem) to indicate the act of starting that behavior. A related fixed expression はじめとして or をはじめ is used to mean “starting with …” or “beginning with …” for listing items. Typical contexts include starting a new activity, project, habit, or process.