Learning how to sequence your thoughts is one of the most critical steps in moving from beginner to intermediate Japanese. While textbooks often introduce まず (mazu) as the direct translation for "firstly," the reality of natural Japanese conversation is far more nuanced. The word you choose depends heavily on the context—whether you are writing a formal business email, explaining a cooking recipe, structuring a logical argument, or simply chatting with friends over coffee Small thing, real impact..
Most guides skip this. Don't It's one of those things that adds up..
This guide breaks down the various ways to express "firstly" in Japanese, categorized by nuance and situation, so you can sound natural and precise in any scenario.
The Standard Go-To: まず (Mazu)
If you only memorize one word for "firstly," make it まず (mazu). It is the most versatile, widely used, and neutral term for indicating the first step in a sequence, the first action to take, or the primary point in a list Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Nuance: Neutral to slightly formal. It works in both spoken and written Japanese. It implies "first of all," "to begin with," or "for now."
Common Patterns:
- まずは (Mazu wa): Adds the topic marker wa, emphasizing "As for the first thing..." or "First off..." This is extremely common in conversation.
- まず第一に (Mazu dai-ichi ni): "First of all" (more structured, often used in speeches or essays).
Examples:
まずは自己紹介から始めましょう。 Mazu wa jiko shōkai kara hajimemashō. First off, let’s start with self-introductions.
まず、状況を確認してください。 Mazu, jōkyō o kakunin shite kudasai. Firstly, please check the situation But it adds up..
まず第一に、予算を決める必要があります。 Mazu dai-ichi ni, yosan o kimeru hitsuyō ga arimasu. First of all, we need to decide on a budget.
For Logical Structure: 第一に (Dai-ichi ni) & 最初に (Saisho ni)
When you are writing an essay, giving a presentation, or making a structured argument, you need words that signal a clear, numbered hierarchy.
第一に (Dai-ichi ni) — "Firstly" / "In the first place"
This is the standard enumeration marker for formal logic. It almost always pairs with 第二に (dai-ni ni - secondly) and 第三に (dai-san ni - thirdly). It sounds academic, professional, and organized.
この計画には三つの利点があります。第一に、コストが安い。第二に、リスクが少ない。第三に、実行が容易です。 *Kono keikaku ni wa mitsu no riten ga arimasu. Dai-ichi ni, kosuto ga yasui. Because of that, Dai-ni ni, risuku ga sukunai. Dai-san ni, jikkō ga yōi desu.Now, * This plan has three merits. Firstly, the cost is low. Secondly, the risk is small. Thirdly, it is easy to execute That's the part that actually makes a difference..
最初に (Saisho ni) — "At the beginning" / "First (chronologically)"
While dai-ichi ni is logical, saisho ni is chronological. It refers to the very first point in time or the starting phase of a process. Use this when describing the history of a project, the start of a movie, or the initial setup of a device.
最初にパスワードを設定してください。 Saisho ni pasuwādo o settei shite kudasai. First (at the very beginning), please set the password Practical, not theoretical..
最初に質問があります。 Saisho ni shitsumon ga arimasu. I have a question at the outset / first thing.
For Procedures & Instructions: 手始めに (Tebajime ni) & 皮切りに (Kawakiri ni)
Japanese has specific vocabulary for "starting the ball rolling" or "kicking things off." These are fantastic for sounding native when describing the initiation of an action or event.
手始めに (Tebajime ni) — "To start with" / "As a first step"
Derived from te (hand) + hajimeru (to begin), this implies doing something small or manageable to begin a larger process. It carries a nuance of "Let's try this first as a test" or "Let's get the ball rolling with this."
手始めに、簡単な問題から解いてみよう。 Tebajime ni, kantan na mondai kara toite miyō. To start with, let’s try solving the easy problems And it works..
掃除の手始めに、ゴミを捨てた。 Sōji no tebajime ni, gomi o suteta. As a first step in cleaning, I took out the trash Took long enough..
皮切りに (Kawakiri ni) — "Starting with..." / "Kicking off with..."
Originally referring to the first cut of moxa (moxibustion) treatment, this is now a standard idiom for "starting with [Event A], a series of events followed." It is frequently used in news, business reports, and storytelling.
彼の発言を皮切りに、会議が活発になった。 Kare no hatsugen o kawakiri ni, kaigi ga kappatsu ni natta. Starting with his remark (kicking things off), the meeting became lively.
この映画を皮切りに、シリーズ化が決定した。 Kono eiga o kawakiri ni, shirīzu-ka ga kettei shita. Kicking off with this movie, the series was greenlit.
Casual & Conversational: まずは (Mazu wa) & ひとまず (Hitomazu)
In daily conversation, stiffness is the enemy. These variations soften the tone significantly Simple, but easy to overlook..
まずは (Mazu wa) — "First off" / "Anyway"
As mentioned earlier, adding wa makes mazu conversational. It’s the standard way to say "Let's do X first" when deciding on food, planning a weekend, or prioritizing tasks with friends Worth keeping that in mind..
まずはビールで乾杯しようぜ。 Mazu wa bīru de kanpai shiyō ze. First off, let’s cheers with beer.
まずは落ち着こう。 Mazu wa ochitsukō. First things first, let’s calm down The details matter here..
ひとまず (Hitomazu) — "For now" / "For the time being" / "Once and for all"
This is a crucial distinction. Hitomazu does not always mean "Step 1 of 3." It often means "Let's settle this current issue first" or "Let's stop here for now." It implies a temporary pause or a provisional completion.
ひとまず席についてください。 *Hitomazu seki ni tsuite kudasai.Think about it: * For now, please take a seat. (Implies: We will deal with the rest later Not complicated — just consistent..
レポートはひとまず完成した。 *Repōto wa hitomazu kansei shita.Still, * The report is finished for now / tentatively complete. (Implies: Might need revisions later, but the heavy lifting is done Which is the point..
ひとまずお疲れ様でした。 Hitomazu otsukaresama deshita. **Anyway
Anyway, good work. This phrase is often used to wrap up a work session or task, signaling that the immediate goal has been met and a break is appropriate. It’s a handy way to transition from effort to rest without implying the entire project is finished Simple, but easy to overlook. Worth knowing..
When choosing how to say “first” in Japanese, the key is matching the expression to your context and relationship with your audience. 手始めに and 皮切りに lend structure to formal plans or narratives, while まず and ひとまず keep interactions relaxed and flexible. The former pair highlight sequence and initiation; the latter prioritize immediacy and practicality. By tuning into these nuances, you’ll sound not just correct, but naturally fluent—whether you’re outlining a strategy in a meeting or simply deciding what to cook for dinner The details matter here..
Beyond the core pairings already introduced, Japanese offers a few additional “first”‑type expressions that shine in particular registers or stylistic contexts. Knowing when to reach for them can add a touch of sophistication—or, conversely, keep things breezily informal—depending on the situation.
初めに (Hajime ni) – “At the outset” / “To begin with”
初めに is the nominal form of the verb 始める (to begin) combined with the particle に. It carries a slightly more formal, almost literary flavor than まずは, making it a favorite in speeches, written proposals, and the opening paragraphs of reports.
初めに本日の議題を確認いたします。
Hajime ni honjō no gidaī o kakunin itashimasu.
To begin with, let’s confirm today’s agenda.
初めにご挨拶申し上げます。
Hajime ni goaisatsu mōshiagemasu.
First of all, I’d like to extend my greetings It's one of those things that adds up. Surprisingly effective..
Because 初めに feels a touch ceremonious, it works well when you want to signal that you’re setting the stage for something important, yet it remains polite enough for business emails and presentations.
まずはじめに (Mazu hajime ni) – “First of all” (emphatic)
When you want to stress the primacy of an action without sounding stiff, you can combine まずに (the adverbial form of まず) with 初めに. The resulting phrase まずはじめに sits comfortably between the casual まずは and the more formal 初めに The details matter here..
まずはじめに予算の見直しを行いましょう。
Mazu hajime ni yosan no minaoshi o okonaimashō.
First of all, let’s review the budget Less friction, more output..
まずはじめに質問を受け付けます。
Mazu hajime ni shitsumon o uketsuke masu.
First off, we’ll take questions.
This construction is especially handy in semi‑formal settings—think team briefings, webinars, or newsletters—where you want to be clear and courteous without over‑formalizing Worth keeping that in mind..
まずはまず (Mazu mazu) – Redundant but expressive
Although literally “first first,” the duplication まずはまず appears in colloquial speech as a way to underscore that you’re really, truly starting with something before moving on. It’s informal, often heard among friends or in casual workplace banter, and carries a light‑hearted, almost teasing tone.
まずはまずコーヒーを一杯飲んでから仕事に取り掛かろう。
Mazu mazu kōhī o ippai nonde kara shigoto ni tori kakarō.
First, first, let’s grab a coffee before diving into work.
まずはまずこのバグを直してから次の機能に進もう。
*Mazu mazu kono bugu o naoshite kara tsugi
