始める vs 始まる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 始める
Listen to 始まる
| 始める | 始まる |
|---|---|
ha-JI-me-ru verb | はじまる verb |
| to begin; to start | to begin; to start (intransitive) |
How they differ
始める is the transitive form: someone starts something. 始まる is intransitive: something starts by itself or is seen as starting on its own. Use 始める when the subject actively initiates an action, and 始まる when the event, season, meeting, or process begins.
When to use each
When to use 始める: Use 始める when a person actively starts an action or starts something for someone or for a purpose.
When to use 始まる: Use 始まる when you want to say that an event, time period, or process has started without focusing on who caused it.
Side-by-side examples
- 私は毎朝、勉強を始める。
(I start studying every morning.) - 会議が始まる。
(The meeting begins.)
Register & nuance: Both words are common and neutral, but 始まる is especially natural for events and processes, while 始める emphasizes intentional action.