# 初 — First

Frequency rank 197 / 2,608 in published Japanese.

Common in published Japanese. A handful of these and real text starts to open.

More common than 六 (Six), less common than 必 (Certain).

- On’yomi: しょ
- Kun’yomi: はじ、はつ、そ
- Radical: 刀 Knife (Kangxi 18)
- Frequency path: Level II of XX
- School grade: 4
- Strokes: 7

The fishmonger drags a stiff new Outfit over his shoulders and takes the Knife off its hook before the sleeves are buttoned.

In words:

- 初めて はじめて — for the first time
- 初 はつ — first;new
- 初め/始め はじめ — beginning

[Study 初](https://app.kanjidrift.com/study?kanji=%E5%88%9D)

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