A1 particle 2 Min. Lesezeit

~부터

This particle marks the starting point of a time or a place.

buteo
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use ~부터 to say 'from.' If you want to say 'from 2 o'clock,' you say '2시부터.' It is very easy to use because you just put it after the time or place. You will use this every single day when you talk about your schedule or your travel plans!

At this level, you start using ~부터 with ~까지 (until). For example, 'I study from 9 to 10.' It helps you describe your daily routine clearly. It is a very natural way to connect your thoughts about time and space.

You can now use ~부터 to express starting points in abstract contexts, such as 'from the perspective of' or 'starting from the basics.' It allows you to structure complex sentences regarding project timelines or logical arguments.

You will notice that ~부터 can emphasize the priority of an action. For instance, 'Let's do this first' (이것부터 해요). This adds a layer of nuance to your requests, showing that you are organizing tasks by importance.

In advanced discourse, ~부터 is used to delineate boundaries in complex narratives. It helps in setting the stage for historical accounts or logical sequences, ensuring the listener understands the precise point of departure for your reasoning.

Mastering ~부터 involves understanding its subtle interplay with other particles like ~에서 and ~에. You will use it to create precise, elegant sentences that define the exact parameters of time and space in literature and professional writing.

Wort in 30 Sekunden

  • Used for starting time or place.
  • Attaches directly to the noun.
  • Pairs perfectly with ~까지.
  • Essential for daily scheduling.

Welcome to the world of Korean particles! ~부터 is one of the most useful tools in your grammar kit. It acts as a signpost that tells the listener exactly where your story begins.

You will use this primarily for two things: time and place. If you want to say 'from 3 o'clock' or 'from the station,' this is the word you need. It is friendly, common, and essential for daily conversation.

The particle ~부터 has deep roots in the Korean language. It is derived from the verb 붙다 (butda), which means 'to stick' or 'to attach.'

Historically, it evolved to represent the point where something 'attaches' to the timeline or a path. By 'sticking' your starting point to the particle, you establish the baseline for your sentence. It is fascinating how a word meaning 'to stick' became the standard way to express 'from'!

Using ~부터 is quite straightforward. You simply attach it directly to the noun. There is no need for spaces!

In formal settings, it remains the same, making it very versatile. You will often hear it paired with ~까지 (to/until). Together, they create the classic 'from X to Y' structure that is used in everything from bus schedules to workout plans.

While it is a grammatical particle, it appears in common phrases. 1. 처음부터: From the beginning. 2. 지금부터: From now on. 3. 여기부터: From here. 4. 어제부터: Since yesterday. 5. 기초부터: From the basics. These are essential building blocks for any learner.

Pronunciation is easy! It sounds like 'boo-tuh.' The 'b' is soft, and the 't' is crisp. There is no plural form because particles don't have them in Korean.

It is distinct from ~에서, which denotes the location where an action takes place. Remember: ~부터 is for the *start* of a journey or time, while ~에서 is for the *location* of the action itself.

Fun Fact

It comes from the verb 'butda', meaning to stick to a starting point.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bu.tʌ/

Short, crisp 'boo' followed by a neutral 'tuh'.

US /bu.tə/

Similar to the UK, very clear consonants.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing the 't' too softly
  • Adding an extra vowel at the end
  • Ignoring the attachment rule

Rhymes With

부터 두터 무터 수터 루터

Difficulty Rating

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to read

Writing 1/5

Easy to write

Speaking 1/5

Easy to say

Hören 1/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

시간 장소 시작

Learn Next

~까지 ~에서 ~에

Fortgeschritten

~조차 ~마저

Grammar to Know

Particle Attachment

Noun+부터

Time Markers

9시부터

Location Markers

여기부터

Examples by Level

1

2시부터 공부해요.

2 o'clock + from + study

Time + particle

2

여기부터 시작해요.

Here + from + start

Location + particle

3

오늘부터 운동해요.

Today + from + exercise

Time + particle

4

내일부터 쉬어요.

Tomorrow + from + rest

Time + particle

5

집부터 가요.

Home + from + go

Location + particle

6

어제부터 아파요.

Yesterday + from + sick

Time + particle

7

서울부터 갈 거예요.

Seoul + from + go

Location + particle

8

지금부터 시작입니다.

Now + from + start

Time + particle

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

Häufige Kollokationen

지금부터
처음부터
어제부터
내일부터
여기부터
아침부터
기초부터
순서부터
이것부터
언제부터

Idioms & Expressions

"처음부터 끝까지"

From start to finish

처음부터 끝까지 다 봤어요.

neutral

""

""

""

""

""

Easily Confused

~부터 vs ~에서

Both relate to location

~부터 is start, ~에서 is location of action

집부터 가요 vs 집에서 공부해요.

~부터 vs ~에

Both relate to time

~부터 is start, ~에 is specific time point

9시부터 vs 9시에.

~부터 vs ~까지

Both are spatial/temporal markers

~부터 is start, ~까지 is end

서울부터 vs 서울까지.

~부터 vs ~조차

Both are particles

~조차 means 'even', not 'from'

이것부터 vs 이것조차.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Noun + 부터 + Verb

지금부터 공부해요.

A2

Time + 부터 + Time + 까지

9시부터 5시까지 일해요.

B1

Noun + 부터 + 하세요

이것부터 하세요.

B1

Noun + 부터 + 시작해요

기초부터 시작해요.

B2

Noun + 부터 + 알아요

이름부터 알아요.

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

Formal Neutral Casual Slang

Häufige Fehler

Using ~에서 instead of ~부터 for time → Time + 부터
~에서 is for location only.
Adding a space before ~부터 → Noun~부터
Particles attach directly.
Using ~부터 for the end of a journey → ~까지
Use ~까지 for end points.
Confusing with ~에 → Use ~부터 for start
Use ~에 for exact time points.
Overusing in every sentence → Use only when emphasizing start
Can sound repetitive.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Visualize a starting gate at a race.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

To set a schedule.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Koreans love being specific with time.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

No space = correct.

💡

Say It Right

Keep the 't' sharp.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't add a space.

💡

Did You Know?

It comes from 'to stick'.

💡

Study Smart

Pair it with ~까지.

💡

Priority

Use it to show what to do first.

💡

Flow

Say it as one word with the noun.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'boot' (부터) that you put on to start your journey.

Visual Association

A starting line with a boot on it.

Word Web

Time Location Start Beginning

Herausforderung

Say 5 things you will do 'from now' (지금부터).

Wortherkunft

Korean

Original meaning: To attach/stick

Kultureller Kontext

None

Corresponds to 'from' in English.

Used in many K-pop song titles like '지금부터'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • 지금부터 시작합니다
  • 회의부터 해요
  • 기초부터 확인해요

At school

  • 1교시부터 있어요
  • 숙제부터 할게요
  • 오늘부터 방학이에요

Travel

  • 서울부터 갈 거예요
  • 여기부터 가요
  • 언제부터 출발해요

Daily life

  • 아침부터 바빠요
  • 오늘부터 다이어트해요
  • 어제부터 아파요

Conversation Starters

"오늘부터 무엇을 할 거예요?"

"언제부터 한국어를 공부했어요?"

"여기부터 어디까지 가요?"

"지금부터 뭐 할까요?"

"처음부터 다시 설명해 줄 수 있어요?"

Journal Prompts

Write about what you will do from tomorrow.

Describe your schedule from morning to night.

Explain what you want to learn from the basics.

Write about a trip starting from your home.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

8 Fragen

Usually no, use ~에게 or ~한테 for people.

No, ~부터 is for start, ~에서 is for location of action.

Yes, 1월부터 (from January).

No, it attaches to the noun.

Yes, it is a very common pair.

It is neutral and used in all levels.

~까지.

Not directly, usually for time or place.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank A1

저는 9시___ 공부해요.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 부터

We use 부터 for the starting time.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'from here'?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 여기부터

여기(here) + 부터(from).

true false B1

~부터 can be used for both time and place.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Richtig

It is versatile for both.

match pairs B1

Word

Bedeutung

All matched!

Matching words to their meanings.

sentence order B2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Subject + Time + Verb.

Ergebnis: /5

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