to begin to ~, to start ~ing

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses the beginning of an action.

[Verb ます-stem] + 始める

雨が降り始めました。

Ame ga furihajimemashita.

It started to rain.

日本語を勉強し始めた。

Nihongo wo benkyoushihajimeta.

I started studying Japanese.

Focus on the start of the action.

～終わる

to finish ~ing

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

Pair with 終わる for beginning/end.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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