What is the difference between 初めは　and 初めに？


What is the difference between 初めは and 初めに？

I see that both mean "at first," but it seems like the phrases are not
interchangeable.

Thank you for your explanation!




As far as I know, they have different meanings:

> 初めは At first.
>
> 初めに First / To begin with.

初めは is used to show how the state was in the beginning (usually because now
the state is different)

> 初めは彼が好きじゃなかった。 At first, I didn't like him (maybe we are friends now, maybe
> not).

初めに marks a specific point in time (the beginning) where an action (as opposed
to a state) happens.

> 彼らは５月の初めに大阪に着いた。They arrived in Osaka at the beginning of May.

I also think that 初めに can be used to show the first of a series of arguments
that support each other, in the sense of "to begin with". For example, if my
girlfriend asks me to buy an expensive, horrible dress for her, I could
answer:

> 初めに、お金がない。To begin with, I have no money (and in addition, the dress is
> horrible).

Please provide more context or example sentences you tried to make with these
words so we can help you with a specific problem. There might be other uses of
初めは and 初めに so if you are specific it's easier to help.




As far as I know, they have different meanings:

> 初めは At first.
>
> 初めに First / To begin with.

初めは is used to show how the state was in the beginning (usually because now
the state is different)

> 初めは彼が好きじゃなかった。 At first, I didn't like him (maybe we are friends now, maybe
> not).

初めに marks a specific point in time (the beginning) where an action (as opposed
to a state) happens.

> 彼らは５月の初めに大阪に着いた。They arrived in Osaka at the beginning of May.

I also think that 初めに can be used to show the first of a series of arguments
that support each other, in the sense of "to begin with". For example, if my
girlfriend asks me to buy an expensive, horrible dress for her, I could
answer:

> 初めに、お金がない。To begin with, I have no money (and in addition, the dress is
> horrible).

Please provide more context or example sentences you tried to make with these
words so we can help you with a specific problem. There might be other uses of
初めは and 初めに so if you are specific it's easier to help.

