まず

Hello everyone! Today we're going to break down the word まず (mazu), a super useful adverb in Japanese. You'll hear it all the time, and once you get the hang of it, you'll be using it constantly too. It's listed as A2 on the CEFR scale, so it's a basic but essential word.

§ What まず Means

Definition

まず (mazu) means "first," "to begin with," or "first of all." It's used to indicate the initial action or step in a sequence.

Think of it like saying "first off" or "to start" in English. It sets the stage for what's to come, indicating that whatever follows まず is the priority or the starting point. It's a way to organize your thoughts or instructions clearly.

§ When to Use まず

You'll use まず in several common situations:

• When listing steps or instructions: This is probably the most frequent use. If you're telling someone how to do something, or if you're explaining a process, まず is your go-to word for the first step.
• When stating your initial intention or action: If you're about to do something, and you want to clarify what you'll do first, まず fits perfectly.
• When making a suggestion or a request: Sometimes, it can precede a suggestion, implying "let's first consider this" or "my first suggestion is..."
• To emphasize priority: It can be used to highlight what's most important or what needs to be done before anything else.

§ Examples of まず in Action

Let's look at some practical examples to really nail down its usage:

Hint

Before making coffee, first, boil the water.

Here, boiling the water is the initial step in making coffee. It's the first thing you *do*.

Hint

When I get home, first, I wash my hands.

This shows a routine or a habit. The first action upon arriving home is washing hands.

Hint

Do you have any questions? First, please start with simple questions.

Here, it's used to guide the order of questions, suggesting to tackle the easy ones first.

Hint

Before going on a trip, first, I have to make a hotel reservation.

This example clearly shows a necessary first step or priority before moving on to other aspects of the trip.

So, to recap, まず is your friend when you want to clearly state the initial step or priority. Practice using it in your own sentences when you're thinking about sequential actions. The more you use it, the more natural it will become!

§ Understanding まず (mazu)

まず (mazu) is an adverb in Japanese that means "first" or "to begin with." It's a really useful word to know because it helps you sequence actions or ideas. Think of it as telling someone what the very first step is in a series of steps.

Meaning

First; to begin with

CEFR Level

A2

§ Basic sentence structure with まず

The simplest way to use まず is to place it before the verb or action you want to emphasize as happening first. It often sets the stage for what comes next.

Translation hint: "First, please read this."

Translation hint: "First, let's wash our hands."

§ Using まず in a sequence of actions

まず is excellent for giving instructions or explaining a process. It clearly indicates the initial step, followed by other actions. You'll often see it paired with words like その後 (sono ato - after that) or 次に (tsugi ni - next) to lay out a clear sequence.

Translation hint: "Before starting to cook, first, please cut the vegetables."

Translation hint: "Yesterday, first I went to school, and after that, I played with friends."

§ まず as "before doing anything else"

You can also use まず to express the idea of prioritizing an action, meaning "before anything else" or "first and foremost."

Translation hint: "Before starting anything, first, make a plan."

§ まず in polite requests

When making a request or giving an instruction, adding まず can soften it slightly, making it sound more like a polite suggestion for the initial action. It often comes with the te-form + ください (kudasai) or other polite verb endings.

Translation hint: "Before entering the room, first, please knock."

§ Common phrases and usage patterns with まず

• まず、そして… (mazu, soshite...): "First, and then..." This is a very common way to link initial actions with subsequent ones.

Example

まず、窓を開けて、そして空気を入れ替えましょう。

Translation hint: "First, open the window, and then let's air out the room."

• まずは (mazu wa): Adding は (wa) can add a slight emphasis, making it sound more like "first, as for this" or "first and foremost."

Example

まずはお礼を申し上げます。

Translation hint: "First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude."

§ Practical tips for using まず

When you're practicing, try to incorporate まず when you are:

• Giving simple instructions (e.g., how to make tea, how to use a machine).
• Explaining a sequence of events from your day.
• Prioritizing an action over others.

It's a foundational word that helps make your Japanese clearer and more natural when describing steps or priorities. Keep practicing, and you'll find yourself using it all the time!

§ What まず (mazu) means

Japanese Word

まず (mazu)

Part of Speech

adverb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

first; to begin with

When you want to say "first" or "to begin with" in Japanese, まず (mazu) is your go-to word. It's used when you're listing a sequence of actions or ideas, emphasizing what comes at the very start.

§ How to use まず (mazu)

You'll often hear and use まず (mazu) in everyday conversations when explaining steps, giving instructions, or simply prioritizing things.

Translation hint: First, please wash your hands.

Translation hint: First, I will introduce myself.

Translation hint: Do you have any questions? First, what should we start with?

§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives

While まず (mazu) means "first" or "to begin with," there are other Japanese words that also convey a sense of starting or priority. Let's look at some of them and understand the subtle differences.

• 初めに (hajime ni): This also means "at first" or "in the beginning." It tends to be a bit more formal than まず (mazu) and can refer to the very initial stage of something, not necessarily the first step in a sequence. You might use 初めに (hajime ni) when talking about how something started historically, or the initial conditions.

Translation hint: This project first started with a small team.

• 最初に (saisho ni): Similar to 初めに (hajime ni), 最初に (saisho ni) means "at the very beginning" or "at the start." It can also imply the first thing that happened in a series, but like 初めに (hajime ni), it doesn't always carry the strong "first step" implication that まず (mazu) does. It often emphasizes the chronological start.

Translation hint: I will speak first.

• 一番初めに (ichiban hajime ni) / 一番最初に (ichiban saisho ni): Adding 一番 (ichiban - most/best) makes these phrases even stronger, emphasizing "the very first" or "the absolute beginning."

When to use まず (mazu):

Use まず (mazu) when you are:

• Giving instructions or explaining a process step-by-step. It signals the initial action in a sequence.
• Prioritizing an action or topic in a discussion.
• Starting a conversation or a speech.

When to consider alternatives:

• If you're talking about the origin or initial state of something, rather than the first step in a series, 初めに (hajime ni) or 最初に (saisho ni) might be more appropriate.
• If you want to emphasize the very first instance of something chronologically, 最初に (saisho ni) or 一番最初に (ichiban saisho ni) can be used.

In short, think of まず (mazu) as the practical "first step" in a list or sequence, while 初めに (hajime ni) and 最初に (saisho ni) lean more towards "at the beginning" in a broader sense. Keep practicing with examples, and you'll get a feel for when to use each one!