A prefix/word meaning "first" or "new." Used as a prefix (e.g., 初恋, 初雪) to indicate the first occurrence or something new; readings include はつ and, archaically/literarily, うい.
彼女の初恋の話を聞いた。
I heard about her first love.
初舞台で緊張して声が震えた。
I was so nervous on my first stage performance that my voice trembled.
初雪が降ったので、子どもたちは大喜びだった。
When the first snow fell, the children were delighted.