Japanese symbol for “initially”
当初
とうしょ
Romaji: tousho
beginning; start; outset
In Japanese, initially is 当初, read とうしょ (tousho).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- adj-no, n beginning; start; outset
- adv, n at first; at the beginning; initially; originally
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “initially”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 初めのうち | はじめのうち hajimenouchi | at first; initially; in the beginning |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 本当 | ほんとう hontou | truth; reality; actuality |
| 当時 | とうじ touji | at that time; in those days |
| 担当 | たんとう tantou | being in charge (of an area of responsibility); being responsible (for a work role, etc.) |
| 当然 | とうぜん touzen | natural; right; proper |
| 相当 | そうとう soutou | corresponding to (in meaning, function, etc.); being equivalent to |
| 当選 | とうせん tousen | being elected |
| 最初 | さいしょ saisho | beginning; outset; first |
| 初期 | しょき shoki | early days; early years; early stages |
See also: Chinese symbol for “initially”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.