JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜を皮切りに” and “〜を始め”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜を皮切かわきりに” and “〜を始はじめ”
2. Aを皮切かわきりにB
3. Aを始はじめB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: Are “〜を皮切かわきりに” and “〜を始はじめ” the same in meaning?

A: “〜を皮切かわきりに” indicates the beginning of something, showing how events develop and progress.
“〜を始はじめ” points to a representative example within a group and also indicates the rest of the group.
Let’s explore these differences in more detail.

Aを皮切かわきりにB (JLPT N1)

[Meaning]
Starting from something (A)

[Rule]　　
[N] Nounを＋皮切かわきりに(して)B

[Point]
B indicates events that continue similarly, starting from A.

[Examples]
このパソコンはアメリカでの発売はつばいを皮切かわきりに、世界せかいでも発売はつばいされます。
This computer will be released worldwide, starting with its launch in America.

この歌手かしゅのライブは、ロンドンを皮切かわきりに世界せかい中じゅうで開催かいさいされます。
The singer’s live tour will start in London and will be held all over the world.

ドラマが大だいヒットしたことを皮切かわきりにして、その俳優はいゆうは様々さまざまな映画えいがにも出演しゅつえんしました。
Following the huge success of the drama, the actor has appeared in various movies.

Aを始はじめB (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
As a representative example of something (A)

[Rule]　
[N] Nounを＋始はじめ(として)

[Point]
A is a representative example from a group, and B refers to the rest of the group.
In this case, B is often expressed as “everyone,” “various,” or “many” to broadly summarize.

[Examples]　
この会議かいぎにはアメリカを始はじめとしてたくさんの国くにが集あつまります。
This conference brings together many countries, including the United States.

すしを始はじめ様々さまざまな日本にほん食しょくが海外かいがいでも人気にんきです。
Various Japanese foods, including sushi, are popular overseas.

この映画えいがには彼かれを始はじめたくさんの有名ゆうめいな俳優はいゆうが出演しゅつえんしています。
Many famous actors, including him, appear in this movie.

Let’s Compare

Now, let’s compare the two sentences while confirming the above points.

[Examples]
この映画えいがは、アメリカを皮切かわきりに色々いろいろな国くにで上映じょうえいされます。
This movie will be shown in various countries, starting with the United States.

この映画えいがは、アメリカを始はじめとして色々いろいろな国くにで上映じょうえいされます。
This movie will be shown in various countries, including the United States.

When using “〜を皮切かわきりに“, it means that the movie will first be seen in America (the beginning), and then it will be seen in other countries.
On the other hand, “〜を始はじめ” indicates that America is an example representing the group, and it does not imply the start of the movie.

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[Aを皮切かわきりにB]

A expresses that once something begins, B will follow with developments and progress.
In this context, A refers to a significant action or event, so using it for minor occurrences can seem unnatural, requiring caution.
Additionally, this expression is used when a positive outcome is expected or has occurred.

[Examples]　
〇 この作品さくひんを皮切かわきりに、彼女かのじょは世界せかいで有名ゆうめいになりました。
This work was the start of her becoming famous worldwide.

〇 わたしたちの会社かいしゃはこの製品せいひんを皮切かわきりに、売り上う　あげが伸のびていくだろう。
Our company will likely see increased sales, starting with this product.

× この授業じゅぎょうを皮切かわきりに、たくさん学生がくせいが入はいって来きました。
〇 授業じゅぎょうが始はじまったら、たくさん生徒せいとが入はいって来きました。
Once the class started, many students joined.

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[Aを始めB]

A is used for a representative example from the same group or gathering, and B refers to the rest of the group. Additionally, the actions of A and B are the same.

[Examples]　
日本にほんは会議かいぎに出席しゅっせきします。
Japan will attend the conference.

⇒ Use Japan as an example, and represent other examples with “たくさん”(many) or “色々いろいろな”(various).
日本にほんを始はじめとして、たくさんの国くにが会議かいぎに出席しゅっせきします。
Many countries will attend the conference, including Japan.

Summary

[Aを皮切かわきりにB]

• A indicates the beginning of something, and B describes the development or progression of events that follow.

[Aを始はじめB]

• A refers to a representative example from the same group, and B represents the rest of the group.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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