시작하다
sijakhada[ˈɕʰi(ː)d͡ʑa̠kʰa̠da̠]
The Korean verb for 'begin' is 시작하다 (sijakhada).
시작하다 is a standard and commonly used word for 'begin' in formal contexts.
Meaning: to start, begin (intransitive) (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 시작하다 is composed of the noun 시작 (beginning/start) and the verb suffix 하다 (to do).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 시작하다 changes depending on the level of politeness and the tense: 시작해 is the informal version, 시작해요 is the polite, informal conjugation and 시작합니다 is the formal, polite conjugation. To express the past tense, use 시작했다 to mean 'began' or 'started'.
How do you pronounce it?
sijakhada
Did you know?
- When starting a meal, Koreans do not use 시작하다 but instead use the phrase 잘 먹겠습니다, which expresses gratitude before the eating begins.
- The noun 시작 can be written using different Hanja (Chinese characters), such as 始作 meaning 'to begin' or 詩作 meaning 'to compose poetry'.
- While 시작하다 is the standard verb, Koreans often use the expression 첫 발을 떼다, which literally means 'to lift one's first foot', to describe beginning a journey or a project.
Examples in context
- 수업을 시작하겠습니다.We will begin the class now.
- 회의가 개시되었습니다.The meeting has begun.
- 축구 경기 시작이야!The soccer game is starting!
- 식사를 시작해요.Let's start the meal.
- 프로젝트가 시작되었습니다.The project has begun.
- 오늘부터 국제여행이 시작됩니다.International travel starts from today.
- 수업을 시작하다.su-eob-eul si-jak-ha-da.To begin the class.
- 공부를 시작하다.gong-bu-reul si-jak-ha-da.To start studying.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 시작하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시작하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
