N3Relationships and Topics

名詞 + をはじめ (として)

Q: Is "Using it when there is only one example in total." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use a different pattern, such as "〜を代表する (として)" or "〜を例に (として)".". When there is only one example, using "をはじめ" can give the wrong impression that there are many others, which can be misleading.

Q: Is "Confusing with 〜を中心に (focus vs representative example)." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use "を中心に" when focusing on a specific aspect or characteristic, and use "をはじめ" when giving a primary, representative example.". While both patterns can be used to introduce a main example, "を中心に" emphasizes the focus on a specific aspect, whereas "をはじめ" emphasizes the representative nature of the example.

Q: Is "Misusing the particle (using に instead of を)." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the correct particle, "を", when using this pattern.". Using the particle "に" instead of "を" can change the meaning of the sentence and make it incorrect.

starting with / for example

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "名詞 + をはじめ (として)" is used to give a primary, representative example from a group, implying that there are many others as well. This pattern is often used to introduce a main example or a typical case from a set of similar things. The use of "をはじめ" emphasizes that the given example is just one of many, and it's not the only one. This pattern is commonly used in writing and speaking to provide a concrete example to illustrate a point or to give a sense of scale.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Noun	名詞 + をはじめ	金閣寺をはじめ、京都には有名な寺がたくさんある。
Noun	名詞 + をはじめとする	社長をはじめとする社員全員がボランティアに参加した。
Noun	名詞 + をはじめ	この店はカレーをはじめ、色々なメニューが人気だ。

Examples

Example Sentences

京都には金閣寺をはじめ、有名な寺がたくさんある。

Kyōto ni wa konryūji o hajime, yūmei na tera ga takusan aru.

There are many famous temples in Kyoto, including Kinkaku-ji.

Kyōto ni wa konryūji o hajime, yūmei na tera ga takusan aru. (Kyōto in wa Kinkaku-ji o hajime, yūmei na tera ga takusan aru.)

社長をはじめとする社員全員がボランティアに参加した。

Shachō o hajime to shite shain zen'in ga borantia ni sanka shita.

The president and all the employees participated in the volunteer work.

Shachō o hajime to shite shain zen'in ga borantia ni sanka shita. (Shachō o hajime to shite shain zen'in ga borantia ni sanka shita.)

この店はカレーをはじめ、色々なメニューが人気だ。

Kono mise wa karē o hajime, shiro shiro na menū ga ninki da.

This store is popular, starting with curry and having many other menu items.

Kono mise wa karē o hajime, shiro shiro na menū ga ninki da. (Kono mise wa karē o hajime, shiro shiro na menū ga ninki da.)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to give a primary, representative example from a group, implying that there are many others as well. It's often used in writing and speaking to provide a concrete example to illustrate a point or to give a sense of scale. The use of "をはじめ" emphasizes that the given example is just one of many, and it's not the only one. This pattern is commonly used in formal and informal writing and speaking.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using it when there is only one example in total.

Use a different pattern, such as "〜を代表する (として)" or "〜を例に (として)".

When there is only one example, using "をはじめ" can give the wrong impression that there are many others, which can be misleading.

Confusing with 〜を中心に (focus vs representative example).

Use "を中心に" when focusing on a specific aspect or characteristic, and use "をはじめ" when giving a primary, representative example.

While both patterns can be used to introduce a main example, "を中心に" emphasizes the focus on a specific aspect, whereas "をはじめ" emphasizes the representative nature of the example.

Misusing the particle (using に instead of を).

Use the correct particle, "を", when using this pattern.

Using the particle "に" instead of "を" can change the meaning of the sentence and make it incorrect.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Pay attention to the context and the meaning of the sentence. If the sentence is trying to give a primary, representative example from a group, use "をはじめ". If the sentence is focusing on a specific aspect or characteristic, use "を中心に".

In context