初
First
On’yomi: しょ
Kun’yomi: はじ.*
Radicals: Pelican + Sword
Meaning: First
A pelican wielding a sword would be the first bird warrior in all of history. Never before has a pelican, let alone a bird, wield a sword. This pelican is the first of its kind.
I’m sure you know what a pelican looks like, so I’m sure you can picture what this bird would look like brandishing a sword. Pretty menacing, no? Imagine this pelican squawking and waddling around waving a sword every which way, feathers flying in the wind.
Reading: しょ
Since this sword wielding pelican is the first of its kind, it became quite famous. So famous that the pelican has become part of a traveling circus show (しょ). People come from miles around to see the show and the sword wielding pelican. He’s kind of a big deal.
Have you seen a circus show before? Picture yourself at that time and imagine yourself seeing a sword wielding pelican as part of that show. It’s the first time you’ve ever seen something like this so it’s quite impressive.
Related Vocabulary
初める はじめる To Begin To
初めて はじめて For The First Time
初めに はじめに Beginning
初回 しょかい The First Time
- 初 (First) + 回 (Times)
最初 さいしょ The First
- 最 (Most) + 初 (First)