「〜を皮切りに（して）」- Starting Point for Subsequent Events
Explanation
The expression 〜を皮切りに（して） is used to indicate that a particular event or action serves as the starting point, followed by similar events or actions. Pronounced as 「〜をかわきりに（して）」, the term 「皮切り」 literally means "peeling the skin" as a metaphor for beginning something. This structure is often used to describe the start of an event or action, implying that similar events will follow.
Grammar Pattern
| Grammar Point | Connection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 〜を皮切りに（して） | Noun + を皮切りに（して） | The first item is the starting point, and the second item describes a series of similar actions that follow. |
Basic Usage
- Noun + を皮切りに（して）
Examples
上海 を皮切りに、全国 10か所 でコンサート を開 くことになりました。- Shanghai o kawakiri ni, zenkoku 10-kasho de konsāto o hiraku koto ni narimashita.
- Starting with Shanghai, concerts will be held in ten locations across the country.
総理大臣 は中国 を皮切りにアジア諸国 を訪問 した。- Sōri daijin wa Chūgoku o kawakiri ni, Ajia shokoku o hōmon shita.
- The Prime Minister started with China and then visited various Asian countries.
- １
月 の沖縄 を皮切りに日本列島 を北上 する桜前線 。 - 1-gatsu no Okinawa o kawakiri ni, Nihon rettō o hokujō suru sakura zensen.
- The cherry blossom front starts in Okinawa in January and moves northward across the Japanese archipelago.
仮想通貨 はビットコイン を皮切りに、数多 くの種類 が登場 している。- Kasō tsūka wa Bitcoin o kawakiri ni, kazuōku no shurui ga tōjō shite iru.
- Starting with Bitcoin, numerous types of cryptocurrencies have emerged.
Deep Dive
〜を皮切りに（して） is typically used to describe the beginning of an event, suggesting that similar events will follow. This expression is commonly found in news reports, speeches, and formal contexts. It’s important to note that the actions or events before and after the expression must be of the same type. If the actions are different, expressions like 「〜をきっかけに」 or 「〜を機に／を契機に」 should be used instead.
Examples
- この
コンサート を皮切りに、全国 ツアー を開始 します。 - Kono konsāto o kawakiri ni, zenkoku tsuā o kaishi shimasu.
- Starting with this concert, a nationwide tour will begin.
- この
プロジェクト を皮切りに、ほかのプロジェクト も順次 進 めていきます。 - Kono purojekuto o kawakiri ni, hoka no purojekuto mo junji susumete ikimasu.
- Starting with this project, other projects will also be gradually advanced.
Comparison and Differences
| Expression | Usage | Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜を皮切りに（して） | Indicates the starting point of an event, followed by similar events | Starting with Shanghai, concerts will be held in ten locations across the country. | |
| 〜をきっかけに | Indicates that an event or action serves as a trigger, followed by different events | After a breakup, I cut my hair short. | |
| 〜を機に／を契機に | Indicates that an event or action serves as a trigger, followed by different events, often used in formal contexts | More women are leaving their jobs after childbirth and childcare. |
Real-Life Scenarios
展覧会 が本日 東京 での開催 を皮切りに、全国 ８ヶ所 で巡回開催 されます。- Tenrankai ga honjitsu Tōkyō de no kaisai o kawakiri ni, zenkoku 8-kasho de junkai kaisai saremasu.
- Starting with today’s exhibition in Tokyo, it will be held in eight locations across the country.
法律 の盲点 を突 いた犯罪 が頻発 したことを皮切りに、それに関連 する法律 が次々 と見直 された。- Hōritsu no mōten o tsuita hanzai ga hinpatsu shita koto o kawakiri ni, sore ni kanren suru hōritsu ga tsugitsugi to minaosareta.
- Following the frequent occurrence of crimes exploiting legal loopholes, related laws were successively reviewed.
Summary
〜を皮切りに（して） is an expression used to describe the start of an event or action, implying that similar events will follow. It is frequently used in news reports and formal speeches, and the actions before and after the expression must be of the same type. Compared to similar expressions like 「〜をきっかけに」 and 「〜を機に／を契機に」, it emphasizes the continuity and similarity of the actions.