Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 2: 2/17

まず
To start with, Firstly

Structure
まず + Phrase
Details
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先ず
Information
Like many other adverbs in Japanese, まず can be used to modify a whole phrase/sentence. This means that it will regularly appear at the beginning of a statement. まず is associated with kanji 先(まず) and therefore carries the meaning of ‘first’, or ‘starting with’.
  • まず宿題(しゅくだい)たほうがいい
    First, it would be best for me to do my homework.
  • まずエンジンかけ
    First, please turn on the engine.
まず is regularly used when you want to convey that something ‘should’ be done before anything else/discussed first, and not when something is first in rank.
  • 赤(あか)車(くるま)まず、ゴールました
    The red car finished to start with. (Unnatural Japanese)
In this kind of sentence, it would be far more natural to use a statement like 一番(いちばん), 最初(さいしょ) or 一位(いちい) if discussing rank.
Caution
When using まず, it can sound like you are giving someone advice, so be careful to use polite language, or perhaps と思(おも)う to show that the suggestion is just an opinion.
  • まず別(わか)れた方(ほう)がいいと思(おも)う
    I think you should break up before anything else.
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まず踊(おど)りに行(い)こう
First let's go dancing.
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まず買(か)い物(もの)その後(あと)食(た)べに行(い)きましょうか
First let's go shopping then after that, shall we go out to eat?
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まず壁(かべ)塗(ぬ)ってください
To start with, please paint the walls.
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