Focus, Emphasis, and Scope
Highlighting a Primary Representative Example
をはじめ is a formal expression used to introduce a broader category by highlighting its most prominent or representative example. It acts as a formal way to say 'starting with' or 'including,' signaling that while one standout item is named, many others belong to the same group. You will most often encounter this pattern in formal speeches, news broadcasts, or professional written texts.
01Main Functions
Highlighting a Standout Example
It singles out the most famous, important, or typical member of a group to represent the whole.
日本には、富士山をはじめ、美しい山がたくさんあります。
Japan has many beautiful mountains, starting with Mount Fuji.
Implying a Broader Category
The clause that follows must refer to a plural concept, general trend, or broader group that includes the highlighted item.
社長をはじめ、社員の皆様に感謝いたします。
(I) would like to thank everyone in the company, starting with the president.
Modifying Nouns Directly
When the representative example directly modifies the broader category noun, the form changes to をはじめとする.
寿司をはじめとする日本料理は世界中で人気です。
Japanese cuisine, starting with sushi, is popular all over the world.
02Sentence Pattern
noun + をはじめ、 + noun は
東京をはじめ、日本の大都市は交通が便利です。
Major Japanese cities, starting with Tokyo, have convenient transportation.
The noun before をはじめ (Tokyo) is given as the prime example of the broader group mentioned after (major Japanese cities).
noun + をはじめ、 + noun に
先生をはじめ、クラスのみんなに感謝しています。
(I) am grateful to everyone in the class, starting with the teacher.
A common formal use in speeches is to thank a group by singling out its most senior or central figure.
noun + をはじめ、 + noun が
この動物園には、パンダをはじめ、珍しい動物がたくさんいます。
There are many rare animals in this zoo, starting with pandas.
The pattern highlights pandas as the most notable example among the many rare animals that exist there.
noun A + をはじめとする + noun B は
桜をはじめとする春の花はとても美しいです。
Spring flowers, starting with cherry blossoms, are very beautiful.
When attaching directly to the broader category noun (spring flowers), use をはじめとする instead of をはじめ. This creates a noun phrase that takes the topic particle は.
noun A + をはじめとする + noun B を
トヨタをはじめとする日本の自動車メーカーを調べました。
(I) researched Japanese car manufacturers, starting with Toyota.
The noun phrase created by をはじめとする acts like a regular noun block, which can then take the object particle を.
noun A + をはじめとする + noun B が
アジアをはじめとする多くの国が会議に参加しました。
Many countries, starting with those in Asia, participated in the conference.
The representative example (Asia) clarifies the scope of the subject (many countries) marked by が.
noun + をはじめ、 + さまざまな + noun
スマートフォンをはじめ、さまざまな電子機器が安くなりました。
Various electronic devices, starting with smartphones, have become cheaper.
Words like さまざまな (various) or いろいろな (various) naturally follow をはじめ to emphasize the plural nature of the group.
03Example Sentences
日本には、富士山をはじめ、美しい山がたくさんあります。
Japan has many beautiful mountains, starting with Mount Fuji.
Mount Fuji is highlighted as the most famous representative of Japan's beautiful mountains.
社長をはじめ、社員の皆様に深く感謝いたします。
(I) would like to deeply thank everyone in the company, starting with the president.
The president is named as the primary representative of the group being thanked in this formal speech.
寿司をはじめとする日本料理は世界中で人気です。
Japanese cuisine, starting with sushi, is popular all over the world.
When attaching directly to the broader category noun (Japanese cuisine), use をはじめとする.
東京をはじめ、日本の大都市は交通が便利です。
Major Japanese cities, starting with Tokyo, have convenient transportation.
Tokyo is presented as the primary example of a major Japanese city.
校長先生をはじめ、先生方、今日は本当にありがとうございました。
Thank (you) very much for today, to all the teachers, starting with the principal.
A classic formal speech pattern used to thank a group directly by singling out its most senior figure.
この動物園には、パンダをはじめ、珍しい動物がたくさんいます。
There are many rare animals in this zoo, starting with pandas.
Pandas are the standout attraction representing the broader group of rare animals.
スマートフォンをはじめ、さまざまな電子機器が生活を便利にしています。
Various electronic devices, starting with smartphones, are making life convenient.
Words like さまざまな (various) naturally follow to emphasize the plural nature of the group.
英語をはじめとする外国語を勉強する学生が増えています。
The number of students studying foreign languages, starting with English, is increasing.
English is given as the primary representative of the broader category "foreign languages".
トヨタをはじめとする日本の自動車メーカーは、世界で活躍しています。
Japanese car manufacturers, starting with Toyota, are active globally.
The phrase トヨタをはじめとする creates a single cohesive noun block describing the Japanese car manufacturers.
京都をはじめ、日本には歴史的な観光地が多くあります。
There are many historical tourist destinations in Japan, starting with Kyoto.
Kyoto is chosen as the most famous example of a historical tourist destination.
アジアをはじめとする多くの国が、その会議に参加しました。
Many countries, starting with those in Asia, participated in that conference.
Asia represents the primary scope of the "many countries" that participated.
サッカーをはじめ、いろいろなスポーツの大会が中止になりました。
Various sports tournaments, starting with soccer, have been canceled.
Soccer is highlighted as a major example of the sports tournaments affected.
両親をはじめ、家族のみんなに支えられてここまで来ました。
(I) have come this far supported by everyone in the family, starting with (my) parents.
A formal expression of gratitude naming the parents as the primary source of support within the family.
04Comparisons
をはじめ vs. など
Both grammar points are used to give examples, but their focus is very different. など simply means "etc." or "such as" and is used to give a few random examples without implying that any of them is the most important. In contrast, をはじめ elevates one specific item, singling it out as the primary, most famous, or most respected representative of the broader group.
京都や奈良など、古い町に行きたいです。
(I) want to go to old towns, such as Kyoto and Nara.
京都をはじめ、日本には歴史的な観光地が多くあります。
There are many historical tourist destinations in Japan, starting with Kyoto.
をはじめ vs. や
Both can be used when you want to mention items within a larger category, but they belong to completely different registers. や is a basic, everyday particle used for incomplete lists ("A and B, among others") and is perfectly natural in casual conversation. をはじめ is highly formal, carries a sense of objective weight or respect, and focuses on one standout representative rather than just listing multiple items.
りんごやみかんが好きです。
(I) like apples and tangerines (among other things).
富士山をはじめ、美しい山がたくさんあります。
There are many beautiful mountains, starting with Mount Fuji.
05Nuance and Usage
The pattern をはじめ carries a highly formal, objective, and respectful tone. You will mostly encounter it in written Japanese, news broadcasts, business documents, and official speeches. Because of this stiffness, using it in casual, everyday conversations sounds unnatural; speakers generally prefer や or とか for casual listing.
The implied hierarchy is a crucial part of this grammar. The item you place before をはじめ cannot be chosen at random. It must logically be the most prominent, respected, famous, or typical member of the group. For example, when thanking school staff, you would single out the principal (校長先生); when talking about Japanese mountains, you mention Mount Fuji (富士山). It inherently honors or highlights that specific item.
The structural requirement dictates the flow of the entire sentence. The clause that follows をはじめ must naturally encompass the first item. This means the second half of the sentence will almost always contain words that indicate a broader group or plural concept, such as さまざまな (various), 多く (many), みんな (everyone), or general category nouns like 大都市 (major cities). You cannot follow をはじめ with a singular, unrelated action.
06Core Explanation
をはじめ is a formal expression used to introduce a broader category by highlighting its most prominent or representative example.
The pattern をはじめ is a formal expression used to introduce a broader category by highlighting its most prominent or representative example. It translates roughly to "starting with," "including," or "not to mention," but its main job is to single out the most important, famous, or typical member of a group to represent the whole.
The structure of the sentence requires careful attention. The noun placed immediately before をはじめ must be a standout or highly representative example. The clause that follows must then describe the larger group or a plural concept. You cannot follow this pattern with a singular, specific event; it must lead into a statement about the broader category, often using words that mean "many," "various," or "everyone."
When the representative example directly modifies the noun representing the broader category, the form changes to をはじめとする. For example, the structure "noun A + をはじめとする + noun B" means "B, starting with A." This creates a single cohesive noun phrase that can then take standard particles like は, が, or を depending on its role in the sentence.
In terms of register and tone, をはじめ is highly formal. You will typically encounter it in formal writing, news reports, business settings, and official speeches, such as when expressing gratitude to a group of people. Because of its stiff and objective weight, it sounds unnatural in casual, everyday conversation with friends.
When speaking casually, learners often want to list examples using words like "like" or "and." For those everyday situations, basic particles like や (for incomplete lists) or とか are much more natural choices. Save をはじめ for situations where you need to elevate a specific example with formal respect or when dealing with written professional contexts.
07Common Mistakes
Wrong
食べるをはじめ、いろいろな日本の文化が好きです。
Correct
寿司をはじめ、いろいろな日本の食べ物が好きです。
Why: The pattern をはじめ must attach directly to a noun. You cannot attach it to a verb.
Wrong
友達をはじめ、みんなで遊びに行こう！
Correct
友達とか、みんなで遊びに行こう！
Why: をはじめ is highly formal and sounds unnatural in casual everyday conversation. For casual invitations or chats, words like とか or や are much more natural.
Wrong
富士山をはじめ、あの山に行きました。
Correct
富士山をはじめ、日本のいろいろな山に行きました。
Why: The clause that follows をはじめ must refer to a larger group, a plural concept, or a general trend. You cannot follow it with a statement about a singular, specific item.
Wrong
寿司をはじめ日本料理は人気です。
Correct
寿司をはじめとする日本料理は人気です。
Why: When the representative example directly modifies the broader category noun that follows it (like "Japanese cuisine"), you must use the modifying form をはじめとする.
Wrong
月曜日、火曜日、水曜日、木曜日をはじめ、金曜日も働きます。
Correct
月曜日をはじめ、平日ずっと働きます。
Why: The purpose of をはじめ is to highlight one (or occasionally two) standout examples to represent a larger group. It is not used to exhaustively list almost every item in a set.
Wrong
先生にをはじめ、クラスのみんなに感謝しています。
Correct
先生をはじめ、クラスのみんなに感謝しています。
Why: Even if the verb in the sentence usually takes a specific particle (like に for 感謝する), the pattern をはじめ always attaches directly to the noun. Do not insert other particles between the noun and をはじめ.
08Questions
Can I use をはじめ with verbs or adjectives?
No, をはじめ attaches directly and only to nouns. It is overwhelmingly used with nouns representing people, places, or things.
What is the difference between をはじめ and をはじめとして?
There is no difference in meaning or fundamental usage. をはじめとして is simply a slightly longer variant that functions exactly the same way in the middle of a sentence. They are functionally interchangeable.
Can I use this pattern when talking with my friends?
It is generally avoided in casual conversation because it sounds very stiff, like you are giving a formal speech. For everyday chats, you should use casual listing particles like や or とか.
09Mini Practice
- 01
社長（ ）、社員の皆様に深く感謝いたします。
- 02
寿司（ ）日本料理は世界中で人気です。
- 03
There are many beautiful mountains in Japan, starting with Mount Fuji.
Tap the pieces in the correct order.
- 04
(Addressing an audience at a formal ceremony) 校長先生をはじめ、先生方、今日は本当にありがとうございました。
- 05
(Chatting casually with a friend about food) ラーメンをはじめ、日本の食べ物はおいしいよね！
- 06
アジア（ ）多くの国が、その会議に参加しました。
- 07
東京をはじめ、（ ）。
- 08
I am grateful to everyone in the class, starting with the teacher.
Tap the pieces in the correct order.
Summary
Learner Summary
- をはじめ translates to "starting with" or "including" and introduces a broader category by naming its primary example.
- It is a highly formal expression used mostly in speeches, news, business, and official writing.
- The noun placed before をはじめ must be the most famous, senior, or representative member of the group.
- The clause following it must describe a broader group, plural concept, or general trend (e.g., "everyone," "various things," "many places").
- When directly modifying a following noun, the form changes to をはじめとする (e.g., 寿司をはじめとする日本料理).
10Study Map
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