Explanation at your level:
시작 means 'start.' You use it when you begin something. If you start school, you use this word. It is very easy to use!
At this level, you learn that 시작 is the noun for 'beginning.' You can say 'The start of the movie' or 'Let's start the meeting.' It is a very common word in daily life.
Intermediate learners use 시작 to describe the inception of processes. You can use it in phrases like 'The start of a new era' or 'The beginning of the end.' It helps you sound more natural when describing timelines.
At the upper-intermediate level, you recognize that 시작 is often used in compound nouns. It carries a sense of formal initiation. You might use it in professional emails or reports to discuss the 'commencement' of a project.
Advanced learners use 시작 to discuss abstract concepts. It can represent the genesis of ideas or cultural movements. It is often paired with sophisticated particles to denote the exact moment of transition in a narrative.
At mastery level, 시작 is understood through its etymological roots. You can use it in literary contexts to contrast with 'conclusion' (끝). It is used to anchor complex arguments about historical causality and the nature of time.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 시작 means start or beginning.
- It is a noun used with 하다.
- It is a very common word.
- Opposite is 끝 (end).
The word 시작 (sijak) is a fundamental Korean noun that translates directly to 'start' or 'beginning.' It is used in almost every aspect of daily life, whether you are starting your day, beginning a new job, or launching a massive project.
Think of it as the starting line of a race. Whenever something moves from 'not happening' to 'happening,' you use this word. It is incredibly versatile and pairs easily with the verb 'to do' (하다) to form the verb 'to start' (시작하다).
시작 is a Sino-Korean word (Hanja). It is composed of the characters 始 (시), meaning 'beginning,' and 作 (작), meaning 'to make' or 'to work.' Together, they literally mean 'to make a beginning.'
Because it is rooted in Hanja, it shares a linguistic lineage with many formal academic terms in Korean. Historically, this structure allowed scholars to express abstract concepts of time and creation with precision, moving beyond simple native Korean verbs.
You will hear 시작 everywhere. Use it with 하다 (to do) to describe an action starting. For example, '공부를 시작하다' means 'to start studying.'
It is used in both casual and formal settings. In business, you might say '프로젝트를 시작합시다' (Let's start the project). In casual conversation, you might simply say '시작!' (Start!) when beginning a game or a race.
1. 시작이 반이다: 'Well begun is half done.' This means that starting is the most difficult part of any task.
2. 새로운 시작: 'A fresh start.' Used when someone begins a new chapter in their life.
3. 시작과 끝: 'Beginning and end.' Used to describe the entirety of a process.
4. 시작을 알리다: 'To signal the start.' Used for ceremonies or events.
5. 시작부터: 'From the very beginning.' Used to emphasize the origin of a problem or success.
As a noun, 시작 functions as the object or subject of a sentence. It is most commonly used with the particle -을/를 or combined with 하다 to function as a verb.
Pronunciation is straightforward: si-jak. Ensure you keep the 'j' sound crisp. It rhymes with words ending in 'ak' sounds, though it is unique to Korean phonology.
Fun Fact
It is one of the most common words in Korean language exams.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'see-jack'
Sounds like 'see-jack'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'j'
- Dropping the final 'k'
- Wrong vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun + 하다
시작하다
Object Particle
시작을
Subject Particle
시작이
Examples by Level
시작해요.
Let's start.
Verb form.
시작이 좋아요.
The start is good.
Subject marker.
언제 시작해요?
When does it start?
Question.
이제 시작이다.
It is the start now.
Copula.
시작을 기다려요.
I am waiting for the start.
Object marker.
시작합시다.
Let's begin.
Formal suggestion.
시작은 어렵다.
The start is hard.
Noun usage.
시작 버튼.
Start button.
Compound noun.
시작 시간이 언제인가요?
공부를 시작했어요.
새로운 시작을 준비해요.
시작부터 끝까지 들었어요.
그게 시작이었어요.
시작이 반이다.
시작을 알리는 종소리.
시작 단계입니다.
프로젝트 시작을 축하합니다.
시작과 동시에 달려갔다.
시작이 좋아야 끝이 좋다.
그는 시작부터 불평했다.
시작을 미루지 마세요.
새로운 시작을 응원합니다.
시작 지점이 어디인가요?
시작 버튼을 누르세요.
사업 시작에 필요한 자금.
시작 단계에서 오류가 발생했다.
그의 말은 시작에 불과했다.
시작부터 순조로웠다.
시작을 알리는 신호탄.
모든 것의 시작은 생각이다.
시작이 절반이라는 말이 있다.
시작점과 도착점.
문명의 시작을 연구하다.
시작과 종결의 의미.
시작의 기원을 찾아서.
그 사건이 시작이었다.
시작부터 치밀하게 계획했다.
시작이 가져온 결과.
시작은 미약했으나 끝은 창대하리라.
시작을 위한 준비.
시작의 본질에 대하여.
우주 시작의 비밀.
시작과 끝의 경계.
역사적 시작의 순간.
시작의 미학.
시작이라는 이름의 희망.
시작을 향한 갈망.
시작은 곧 변화의 시작이다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"시작이 반이다"
Well begun is half done
걱정 마, 시작이 반이야.
common"시작과 끝"
The whole process
시작과 끝이 완벽했다.
neutral"시작을 끊다"
To initiate something
그가 시작을 끊었다.
neutral"시작부터 끝까지"
From start to finish
시작부터 끝까지 들었다.
neutral"새로운 시작"
A fresh start
새로운 시작을 준비해.
neutral"시작이 좋아야 끝이 좋다"
A good start leads to a good end
시작이 좋아야 끝이 좋지.
commonEasily Confused
Both mean start
출발 is for travel/trips
기차가 출발한다
Both mean start
개시 is very formal
영업 개시
Both mean start
착수 is for projects
공사 착수
Both mean start
도입 is for systems
제도 도입
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 를 + 시작하다
숙제를 시작하다
시작 + 이 + 좋다
시작이 좋다
시작 + 부터 + 끝까지
시작부터 끝까지
시작 + 을 + 알리다
시작을 알리다
시작 + 단계 + 이다
시작 단계이다
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is better to use the verb form directly.
Usually these are opposites.
Needs an object.
Often better to say '시작했다'.
Particle usage error.
Tips
Mnemonic
Think of 'See Jack' starting a race.
Verb combo
Always remember to add '하다' to make it a verb.
Cultural insight
It's a very positive word.
Grammar shortcut
Use it with object markers.
Say it right
Crisp 'j' sound.
Don't mistake it for a verb
It is a noun!
Did you know?
It's one of the first words learners study.
Study smart
Use it in your daily journal.
Context
Use it for events and tasks.
Particle
Use '을' after it.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
See-Jack (See Jack start the race)
Visual Association
A runner at the starting blocks
Word Web
Challenge
Say '시작' every time you begin a task today.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean (Hanja)
Original meaning: To make a beginning
Cultural Context
None
Equates to 'start' or 'begin'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- 수업 시작
- 공부 시작
- 방학 시작
Work
- 업무 시작
- 회의 시작
- 프로젝트 시작
Sports
- 경기 시작
- 운동 시작
- 시작 휘슬
Daily Life
- 하루 시작
- 아침 시작
- 시작해 봅시다
Conversation Starters
"오늘 무엇을 시작할 거예요?"
"새로운 일을 시작하는 것이 어렵나요?"
"하루를 어떻게 시작하세요?"
"무언가를 시작할 때 무엇이 중요할까요?"
"시작이 반이라는 말에 동의하세요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a new project you want to start.
How do you feel when you start something new?
What was the start of your language learning journey?
Write about a time you were afraid to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a noun. Use 시작하다 to make it a verb.
Combine it with 하다 or use it as a noun.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
끝 (End).
Yes, '시작 시간' means start time.
Yes, it comes from Hanja.
In very formal business contexts.
No, Korean nouns don't have plurals.
Test Yourself
공부를 ___.
Start studying.
What is the opposite of 시작?
End is the opposite of start.
시작 is a verb.
It is a noun; 시작하다 is the verb.
Word
Meaning
Simple matching.
Today let's start.
Score: /5
Summary
시작 is the essential word for any new beginning.
- 시작 means start or beginning.
- It is a noun used with 하다.
- It is a very common word.
- Opposite is 끝 (end).
Mnemonic
Think of 'See Jack' starting a race.
Verb combo
Always remember to add '하다' to make it a verb.
Cultural insight
It's a very positive word.
Grammar shortcut
Use it with object markers.
Example
새로운 한 주의 시작이에요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More general words
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
