From the classical Japanese verb 始む (hajimu), rooted in Old Japanese はじむ. The morpheme はじ (haji) is also seen in 初め (hajime, "the beginning") and 初めて (hajimete, "for the first time"), all sharing the core sense of an origin point or first moment.

Japanese culture places great value on beginnings — the concept of 初め (hajime) permeates many traditions, from 書き初め (kakizome, the first calligraphy of the New Year) to 初詣 (hatsumōde, the first shrine visit). Saying 「始めましょう」(Hajimemashō, "Let's begin") is a standard, polite way to open meetings, classes, and ceremonies. Note that 始める (hajimeru, transitive — *you* start something) pairs with the intransitive 始まる (hajimaru — *something* starts on its own); confusing these is a very common learner error.