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How to say 'Early' or 'Initial' in Japanese | 初期

Wondering how to say 'Early' or 'Initial' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Early or Initial is 'Shoki', written as 初期 in Japanese.'Early' or 'Initial' in hiragana is しょき.

    word

    初期

    Meaning

    Early, Initial

    Reading

    しょき

    shoki

    Kanji

    初Beginning, First 期Time, Period

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '初期 (しょき)' refers to the early or initial stage of something, such as a period, process, or development. It is often used to describe the beginning phase of events, projects, or historical eras. For example: the early stages of the project「プロジェクトの初期」(ぷろじぇくとのしょき). In the initial phase of the war「戦争の初期」(せんそうのしょき). This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the starting point or early period of a timeline.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    4

    Frequency

    2100

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 初期

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    初

    Meaning

    Beginning, First

  • kanji

    期

    Meaning

    Time, Period

Words Related to 初期 Through the Kanji 初

These 14 Words contain the Kanji 初 as well.

  • word

    最初

    Meaning

    Beginning

  • word

    初めて

    Meaning

    First

  • word

    初め

    Meaning

    Beginning

  • word

    当初

    Meaning

    Beginning

  • word

    初

    Meaning

    First

  • word

    初日

    Meaning

    First day

  • word

    初歩

    Meaning

    Basics

  • word

    初夏

    Meaning

    Early summer

  • word

    初心

    Meaning

    Beginner

  • word

    初級

    Meaning

    Beginner

  • word

    月初め

    Meaning

    Start

  • word

    初代

    Meaning

    First generation

  • word

    初恋

    Meaning

    First love

  • word

    初詣で

    Meaning

    First shrine visit

Words Related to 初期 Through the Kanji 期

These 18 Words contain the Kanji 期 as well.

  • word

    期

    Meaning

    Period

  • word

    時期

    Meaning

    Period

  • word

    期間

    Meaning

    Period

  • word

    期待

    Meaning

    Expectation

  • word

    定期券

    Meaning

    Commuter pass

  • word

    長期

    Meaning

    Long term

  • word

    前期

    Meaning

    First half

  • word

    期日

    Meaning

    Deadline

  • word

    新学期

    Meaning

    New term

  • word

    定期

    Meaning

    Regular, Commuter pass

  • word

    期限

    Meaning

    Deadline

  • word

    延期

    Meaning

    Postponement

  • word

    早期

    Meaning

    Early

  • word

    後期

    Meaning

    Second, Later

  • word

    短期

    Meaning

    Short term

  • word

    末期

    Meaning

    End

  • word

    中期

    Meaning

    Midterm, Mid phase

  • word

    短期大学

    Meaning

    Junior college

Learn the Word 初期

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What does 'Shoki' (初期) mean?

'Shoki' means 'Early' or 'Initial' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.