Go Pro
初

初 — first time, beginning

Learn the correct stroke order for 初 (first time), a 7-stroke kanji.

JLPT N3Grade 47 strokes

Stroke Order

1234567
Stroke 0 / 7
On'yomi (音読み)ショsho
Kun'yomi (訓読み)はじ.めhajime、はじ.めてhajimete、はつhatsu、はつ-hatsu、うい-ui、-そ.めるsomeru、-ぞ.めzome
Strokes7
Radical刀
Frequency#152
Meaningsfirst time, beginning

Step-by-Step Diagram

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 7 — start from the green dot

Common Words

最初さいしょbeginning; outset; firstnoun
初演しょえんfirst performance; premierenoun
初夏しょかearly summernoun
初回しょかいfirst time; first innings; initial attemptnoun
初期しょきearly days; early years; early stagesnoun
初級しょきゅうelementary level; beginner levelnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 初 (first time) is taught in grade 4 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N3 level. It has 7 strokes with radical 刀.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 初 is #152, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

最初さいしょ — beginning; outset; first
初演しょえん — first performance; premiere
初夏しょか — early summer

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (刀)

刀sword刃blade分part切cut刈reap刊publish刑punish列file

Same reading

所place処dispose緒thong

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 初 have?

The kanji 初 (first time) has 7 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 初?

初 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 初 mean?

初 means: first time, beginning. On'yomi readings: ショ. Kun'yomi readings: はじ.め, はじ.めて, はつ, はつ-, うい-, -そ.める, -ぞ.め.

What JLPT level is 初?

初 is a JLPT N3 kanji. This is an intermediate kanji.