まず vs 初めに
JLPT N4 vocabulary · what is the difference?
まず is the discourse marker for "first of all, before anything else" and is what you want when listing steps: まず手を洗って、次に野菜を切ります。初めに means "at the beginning" and points at the opening part of an event, talk or text, as in 初めに自己紹介をします。For instructions, choose まず.
When to use each
まず
まず
Use まず to open the first step of a procedure or an argument, usually paired later with 次に and 最後に. It is about order of action, and it works in speech, recipes, manuals and explanations alike.
まずお湯を沸かして、次に麺を入れます。
まずおゆをわかして、つぎにめんをいれます。
First boil the water, then put the noodles in.
まず先生に相談したほうがいいですよ。
まずせんせいにそうだんしたほうがいいですよ。
You should talk to the teacher first, before anything else.
初めに
はじめに
Use 初めに to mean "at the start of this thing" — the opening of a meeting, a speech, a book or a ceremony. It is slightly more formal than まず and is common in written and prepared language.
初めに、本日の予定をご説明します。
はじめに、ほんじつのよていをごせつめいします。
To begin with, let me explain today's schedule.
初めに校長先生のお話があります。
はじめにこうちょうせんせいのおはなしがあります。
At the beginning there will be a talk from the principal.
Sentences where only one works
まず手を洗いましょう。
まずてをあらいましょう。
Let's wash our hands first.
A step in a procedure, so まず. 初めに手を洗いましょう is not wrong, but it sounds like the opening item of a formal programme rather than practical advice.
初めに自己紹介をさせていただきます。
はじめにじこしょうかいをさせていただきます。
Let me introduce myself at the outset.
This is the opening of a speech, so 初めに. まず here would sound casual for the register.
まず、値段が高すぎます。それに場所も遠いです。
まず、ねだんがたかすぎます。それにばしょもとおいです。
For one thing, it's too expensive. On top of that, it's far away.
Listing reasons in an argument, not events in time — only まず works here; 初めに cannot introduce the first of several reasons.
まず最初に名前を書いてください。
まずさいしょになまえをかいてください。
First of all, please write your name.
まず最初に is a fixed, emphatic pairing you will hear constantly; 初めに最初に is not said.
Common mistakes
初めに、値段が高いです。次に、遠いです。
まず、値段が高いです。次に、遠いです。
When you are enumerating points or reasons rather than things that happen in order, まず is the marker. 初めに locates something in time, so it does not fit a list of arguments.
始めに名前を書いてください。
初めに名前を書いてください。
始め belongs to beginning an action (始める); 初め is the first in a sequence or the earliest part. For "at the beginning / first of all", 初めに is the standard spelling.
Frequently asked questions
Can I always swap まず and 初めに?
Often, but not always. When the sentence is the first step of a procedure, both can appear and まず is more natural; when you are listing reasons (まず、値段が…), only まず works; when you mean the opening section of a speech or book, 初めに is the natural choice.
What about 最初に?
最初に means "first, at the very start" and overlaps with both. It emphasises being number one in a sequence, and it combines with まず as まず最初に for extra emphasis.
Does まず have another meaning?
Yes. まず can also mean "more or less, probably", as in まず大丈夫でしょう (it'll most likely be fine). Context separates the two easily, since that use does not start a list.