How to Say ‘Then, I'll begin.’ in Japanese
では、始めます。
de wa hajime masu
[deh wah hah-jee-MEH mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: では (dewa) is a common way to mark a shift into action, like "well then". In casual speech it shrinks to じゃ (ja).
Phrase Breakdown
で
de
[deh]
well (part of では 'well then')
First part of では, a transition word meaning 'well then' used to move on to the next step.
では、会議を始めましょう。
Well then, let's start the meeting.
は
wa
[wah]
(part of では 'well then')
Combined with で to make the conjunction では.
では、また明日。
Well then, see you tomorrow.
始め
hajime
[hah-jee-MEH]
start; begin (stem)
Stem of the transitive verb 'to start', used to begin an activity.
試合を始めます。
We will start the match.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite present/future ending
ます makes a verb polite in present or future statements.
予約します。
I will make a reservation.
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