“At first” in Japanese
Short answer
At first in Japanese is “始めは” (hajimeha). Full meaning: at first, in the beginning, originally.
Other ways to say “At first” in Japanese
手始めに
tehajimeni at first, at the outset, to begin with, as a first step
初めのうち
hajimenouchi at first, initially, in the beginning
当初
tousho beginning, start, outset; at first, at the beginning, initially, originally
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