Korean Starting Particle: 'From, Since' (부터)
부터 to mark when an action starts or the first item in a list or sequence.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '부터' to indicate the starting point of time or space, similar to 'from' or 'starting from'.
- Attach directly to nouns: '내일부터' (from tomorrow).
- Use for time: '아침부터' (from the morning).
- Use for space/order: '여기부터' (from here).
Overview
부터 (pronounced: bu-teo) is a fundamental Korean particle that designates the starting point or commencement of an action, state, or sequence. It functions similarly to "from" or "since" in English, but it specifically marks the initial boundary of an event, period, or order. Unlike its English counterparts, 부터 is almost exclusively used to indicate a temporal beginning or a foundational element in a series, maintaining a clear distinction from particles that denote spatial origin or the source of received items.
At the A2 level, mastering 부터 is crucial for constructing sentences that express duration, scheduling, and sequential actions. It allows you to precisely articulate when something begins, enabling discussions about past events continuing to the present, future plans, or the order in which tasks are performed. Understanding its core meaning as marking the inception is key to differentiating it from other particles with seemingly similar English translations.
How This Grammar Works
부터 operates by attaching directly to a noun that represents the specific moment in time, the initial item in a list, or the starting boundary of a defined range. This particle inherently implies that the action or state described by the verb begins at or after the point it marks and continues onward. It does not signify a simple, static point but rather the initiation of a sustained or sequential process.부터, you are essentially establishing a temporal or sequential baseline. For instance, 지금부터 (ji-geum-bu-teo, "from now") sets the present moment as the origin of an ongoing action. Similarly, 이것부터 (i-geot-bu-teo, "this first" or "starting with this") positions a particular item as the first in a sequence of considerations or actions.부터 is to provide this critical initial reference, allowing the listener to understand the timeframe or order of events that follow.까지 (kka-ji, "until" or "to"), forming the common 부터...까지 structure. This pairing defines a clear span, indicating both the beginning and the end of a period or range. Even when used alone, 부터 implicitly communicates an ongoing nature from its designated starting point, making it invaluable for expressing duration and continuity.Formation Pattern
부터 is exceptionally straightforward, making it one of the simpler particles to apply. It attaches directly to the immediately preceding noun without any phonological changes or considerations for batchim (final consonant). This consistency eliminates the need for conjugation rules often associated with verbs or adjectives, ensuring ease of use for learners.
부터 directly after a noun.
[Noun] + 부터
오늘 (o-neul) | Today | 오늘부터 (o-neul-bu-teo) | From today |
내일 (nae-il) | Tomorrow | 내일부터 (nae-il-bu-teo) | From tomorrow |
1시 (han si) | 1 o'clock | 1시부터 (han si-bu-teo) | From 1 o'clock |
어제 (eo-je) | Yesterday | 어제부터 (eo-je-bu-teo) | Since yesterday |
처음 (cheo-eum) | Beginning | 처음부터 (cheo-eum-bu-teo) | From the beginning |
나 (na) | I/Me (informal) | 나부터 (na-bu-teo) | Starting with me |
여기 (yeo-gi) | Here | 여기부터 (yeo-gi-bu-teo) | From here |
지금부터 시작합시다. (Ji-geum-bu-teo si-jak-hap-si-da.) - Let's start from now. (Formal)
월요일부터 학교에 가요. (Wol-yo-il-bu-teo hak-gyo-e ga-yo.) - I go to school from Monday. (Casual)
두 시부터 기다렸어요. (Du si-bu-teo gi-da-ryeot-eo-yo.) - I've been waiting since two o'clock. (Polite casual)
When To Use It
부터 is primarily used in two key contexts: designating a temporal starting point and indicating a sequential or prioritized beginning. A third, more specific use case involves marking the origin of a physical range when paired with 까지.- 1Temporal Starting Point: This is the most frequent application of
부터. It signifies the moment an action or state commences and continues into the present or future.
- Specific Times: Use
부터with hours, minutes, or specific time markers to denote when something begins. For example,오전 아홉 시부터 회의가 있어요.(O-jeon a-hop si-bu-teo hoe-ui-ga it-eo-yo.) - "There's a meeting from 9 AM." (Polite casual). This sets the exact start of the meeting. - Days, Dates, and Periods: It applies to days of the week, dates, months, years, or general periods.
다음 주 월요일부터 운동을 시작할 거예요.(Da-eum ju wol-yo-il-bu-teo un-dong-eul si-jak-hal geo-ye-yo.) - "I will start exercising from next Monday." (Polite casual). This clearly states the initiation of the exercise regimen. - Abstract Temporal Nouns: You can use
부터with words like어제(yesterday),아까(a while ago),언제(when), or오래전(long ago). For instance,어제부터 열이 나요.(Eo-je-bu-teo yeol-i na-yo.) - "I've had a fever since yesterday." (Polite casual). This explains the duration of the fever, starting from yesterday.
- 1Sequential Starting Point:
부터is used to highlight the first item or person in a series, indicating a prioritized beginning or order of actions. This is common when assigning tasks, listing items, or discussing who goes first.
- Prioritization:
숙제부터 하세요.(Suk-je-bu-teo ha-se-yo.) - "Do your homework first." (Polite command). Here, homework is the first and most important task. - Order of Action:
저부터 발표하겠습니다.(Jeo-bu-teo bal-pyo-ha-get-seum-ni-da.) - "I will present first." (Formal). This states the speaker will be the first presenter. - General Sequence:
A부터 Z까지 다 외웠어요.(A-bu-teo Z-kka-ji da oe-wot-eo-yo.) - "I memorized everything from A to Z." (Polite casual). This indicates a comprehensive range, starting with A.
- 1Physical Starting Point (with
까지): While에서typically denotes spatial origin,부터can mark the beginning of a physical range or extent when used in conjunction with까지. This is a specific nuance, often referring to a journey or a complete coverage from one physical extremity to another.
서울부터 부산까지 기차로 세 시간 걸려요.(Seo-ul-bu-teo Bu-san-kka-ji gi-cha-ro se si-gan geol-yeo-yo.) - "It takes three hours by train from Seoul to Busan." (Polite casual). Here,서울부터marks the origin of the journey's path, not just the static location of departure.머리부터 발끝까지 아팠어요.(Meo-ri-bu-teo bal-kkeut-kka-ji a-pat-eo-yo.) - "I was hurting from head to toe." (Polite casual). This describes a complete physical extent, from one end to the other.
부터 for physical ranges is distinct from 에서 in that 부터 emphasizes the starting point of the span, whereas 에서 focuses on the point of origin of movement or action.When Not To Use It
부터 is as critical as knowing when to use it, as incorrect application can lead to grammatical errors or unnatural-sounding Korean. The primary areas to avoid using 부터 involve spatial origins and the source of items received from individuals.- 1Static Spatial Origin: Do not use
부터to indicate the simple geographical or physical point of departure. For this purpose, you must use the particle에서(e-seo).부터implies the beginning of a duration or sequence, not merely a place from which something originates.
- Incorrect:
집부터 왔어요.(Jip-bu-teo wat-eo-yo.) - (Literally: "I came starting from home.") This sounds unnatural. - Correct:
집에서 왔어요.(Jip-e-seo wat-eo-yo.) - "I came from home." (Polite casual). - Incorrect:
한국부터 비행기를 탔어요.(Han-guk-bu-teo bi-haeng-gi-reul tat-eo-yo.) - (Literally: "I rode the airplane starting from Korea.") - Correct:
한국에서 비행기를 탔어요.(Han-guk-e-seo bi-haeng-gi-reul tat-eo-yo.) - "I rode the airplane from Korea." (Polite casual).
- 1Receiving from a Person: When expressing the idea of receiving something (a gift, information, help, etc.) from a person, do not use
부터. Instead, the particles한테서(han-te-seo) or its more formal equivalent에게서(e-ge-seo) are required.
- Incorrect:
친구부터 편지를 받았어요.(Chin-gu-bu-teo pyeon-ji-reul bat-at-eo-yo.) - (Literally: "I received a letter starting from a friend.") - Correct:
친구한테서 편지를 받았어요.(Chin-gu-han-te-seo pyeon-ji-reul bat-at-eo-yo.) - "I received a letter from a friend." (Polite casual). - Incorrect:
선생님부터 설명을 들었어요.(Seon-saeng-nim-bu-teo seol-myeong-eul deul-eot-eo-yo.) - (Literally: "I heard the explanation starting from the teacher.") - Correct:
선생님에게서 설명을 들었어요.(Seon-saeng-nim-e-ge-seo seol-myeong-eul deul-eot-eo-yo.) - "I heard the explanation from the teacher." (Polite casual).
- 1Indicating a Destination or Endpoint:
부터exclusively marks the beginning. It cannot be used to denote an endpoint, destination, or the concept of "to" or "until." For these meanings,까지is the appropriate particle.
- Incorrect:
집부터 가자.(Jip-bu-teo ga-ja.) - (Literally: "Let's go starting from home.") This suggests starting a journey with home as the first point, not going to home. - Correct:
집까지 가자.(Jip-kka-ji ga-ja.) - "Let's go home." (Casual). - Incorrect:
두 시부터 수업이 끝나요.(Du si-bu-teo su-eop-i kkeut-na-yo.) - (Literally: "The class ends starting from two o'clock.") This is illogical. - Correct:
두 시까지 수업이 끝나요.(Du si-kka-ji su-eop-i kkeut-na-yo.) - "The class ends by two o'clock." (Polite casual).
Common Mistakes
부터 due to the differing semantic ranges ofFormation Table
| Noun Type | Example | With 부터 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Time
|
오늘
|
오늘부터
|
From today
|
|
Time
|
아침
|
아침부터
|
From morning
|
|
Place
|
여기
|
여기부터
|
From here
|
|
Place
|
학교
|
학교부터
|
From school
|
|
Order
|
첫 번째
|
첫 번째부터
|
From the first
|
|
Abstract
|
기초
|
기초부터
|
From the basics
|
Meanings
Indicates the starting point of a duration, sequence, or physical location.
Temporal start
Starting from a specific time.
“내일부터 시작해요.”
“어제부터 아팠어요.”
Spatial start
Starting from a specific location or point in a sequence.
“여기부터 읽으세요.”
“서울부터 부산까지 가요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + 부터
|
내일부터 해요.
|
|
Negative
|
Noun + 부터 + 안/못
|
오늘부터 안 먹어요.
|
|
Question
|
Noun + 부터 + 입니까?
|
몇 시부터입니까?
|
|
Past
|
Noun + 부터 + Past Verb
|
어제부터 아팠어요.
|
|
Future
|
Noun + 부터 + Future Verb
|
내일부터 갈 거예요.
|
|
Range
|
Noun + 부터 + Noun + 까지
|
9시부터 5시까지.
|
Formality Spectrum
여기부터 시작합시다. (Starting a task)
여기부터 시작해요. (Starting a task)
여기부터 시작해. (Starting a task)
여기부터 고! (Starting a task)
The Starting Point
Time
- 오늘부터 From today
Space
- 여기부터 From here
Order
- 첫 번째부터 From the first
Examples by Level
2시부터 시작해요.
It starts from 2 o'clock.
여기부터 보세요.
Look from here.
내일부터 공부해요.
I study from tomorrow.
오늘부터 친구예요.
We are friends from today.
9시부터 6시까지 일해요.
I work from 9 to 6.
서울부터 부산까지 가요.
I go from Seoul to Busan.
이것부터 먹읍시다.
Let's eat this first.
어제부터 비가 와요.
It has been raining since yesterday.
기초부터 다시 배우고 싶어요.
I want to learn from the basics again.
몇 시부터 입장이 가능한가요?
From what time is entry possible?
이번 주부터 프로젝트를 시작합니다.
We start the project from this week.
처음부터 다시 설명해 주세요.
Please explain from the beginning again.
입구부터 줄이 길게 서 있었어요.
The line was long starting from the entrance.
계획부터 세우는 것이 좋겠어요.
It would be better to start by making a plan.
그는 어릴 때부터 음악을 좋아했어요.
He has liked music since he was young.
다음 달부터는 가격이 인상됩니다.
The price will increase from next month.
본론부터 말씀드리겠습니다.
I will speak from the main point.
역사적 관점부터 살펴봅시다.
Let's examine it from a historical perspective.
밑바닥부터 시작해서 성공했습니다.
He started from the bottom and succeeded.
원칙부터 지키는 것이 중요합니다.
It is important to start by following the principles.
근본적인 문제부터 해결해야 합니다.
We must solve it starting from the root cause.
태초부터 존재했던 신화입니다.
It is a myth that has existed since the beginning of time.
절차부터 밟는 것이 순서입니다.
Following the procedure first is the correct order.
심리적 요인부터 분석할 필요가 있습니다.
There is a need to analyze from the psychological factors.
Easily Confused
Both can translate to 'from'.
Both mean 'from'.
Both are range markers.
Common Mistakes
학교 에서 부터
학교부터
나 부터
저부터
3시 에 부터
3시부터
친구부터
친구에게서
집 에서 시작해요
집부터 시작해요
어제 에 부터
어제부터
여기 에서 부터
여기부터
한국 부터
한국에서부터
3시 부터
3시부터
그 사람 부터
그 사람에게서부터
시작 부터
시작부터
어디 부터
어디부터
그 때 부터
그때부터
지금 부터
지금부터
Sentence Patterns
___부터 시작해요.
___부터 ___까지 해요.
이것부터 ___.
___부터 생각해야 해요.
Real World Usage
내일부터 고고!
본론부터 말씀드리겠습니다.
최소 주문 금액 15000원부터.
서울부터 부산까지 기차표.
오늘부터 1일.
1장부터 5장까지.
No space!
Not for people
Pair it with '까지'
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always pair '부터' with '까지' for clarity.
Stop yourself from using '부터' for people.
Check for spaces before '부터'.
Use '부터' to prioritize tasks.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㅂ' in 부터 is a hard sound, ensure it is crisp.
Question
몇 시부터↗?
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Boot-eo' (부터) like a 'boot' starting a race. You put your foot in the boot to start!
Visual Association
Imagine a starting line at a race track. The word '부터' is written on the ground at the very start of the line.
Rhyme
Time or place, don't be shy, add '부터' to start the why.
Story
Min-su decided to change his life. He said, 'Today (오늘) from (부터) I will run.' He started at the park (공원부터). He felt great.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your day using '부터' (e.g., 'From 8 AM I study').
Cultural Notes
Used universally in all regions.
Used to show respect for order and hierarchy.
Often used to express immediate intent.
Derived from the verb '붙다' (to stick/attach).
Conversation Starters
몇 시부터 공부해요?
언제부터 한국어를 배웠어요?
어디부터 여행하고 싶어요?
어떤 것부터 해결해야 할까요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
내일___ 시작해요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
친구부터 받았어요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
From 9 o'clock.
Answer starts with: 9시부...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Start / 2 o'clock / from.
___부터 다시 설명해주세요.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises내일___ 시작해요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
친구부터 받았어요.
내일부터 / 시작해요 / 공부를
From 9 o'clock.
Match: 오늘부터
Start / 2 o'clock / from.
___부터 다시 설명해주세요.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises1시___ 3시까지 점심시간이에요.
공부할 / 오늘부터 / 거예요
Since when?
Choose the natural expression:
이틀 전에서 아파요.
Match the Korean to English:
1번___ 10번까지 읽으세요.
회의예요 / 오전 9시부터
Pick the correct one:
Starting with me.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, '부터' only attaches to nouns.
No, it must be attached directly to the noun.
No, use '에게서' or '한테서' for people.
'부터' is for the start of a range; '에서' is for the location of an action.
Yes, it is used in all registers.
No, it is also for space and order.
Yes, they are often used together to show a range.
It doesn't matter; '부터' is used the same way.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
kara (から)
They are nearly interchangeable in usage.
desde
Korean attaches it to the end of the noun.
von
Word order is reversed.
à partir de
Korean is much more concise.
cong (从)
Chinese is a preposition; Korean is a particle.
min (من)
Korean is a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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