시작
sijak[ˈɕʰi(ː)d͡ʑa̠k̚]
In Korean, the phrase for 'start' is 시작 (sijak).
시작 is used to describe the commencement of an action or process. When you want to use this as a verb, 'to start', you typically use the form 시작하다.
Meaning: to begin (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb form 시작하다 is created by adding the suffix 하다, meaning 'to do', to the noun 시작.
Which one should you use?
While 시작 refers to the beginning of an activity or process, the related term 처음 is used to refer to the very first instance or the initial point in time.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 시작 into the verb 'to start', you add the suffix 하다 to form 시작하다.
How do you pronounce it?
sijak
Did you know?
- The word 시작 is a homonym that can also mean 'composing poetry' depending on the Chinese characters used.
- The character 始 in the Hanja for 시작 is the same character used in the word for 'beginning of the year', linking the concept of starting an action to the start of time cycles.
- In a modern-day race or game, many Korean speakers will simply use the English loanword 'start' to signal the beginning.
Examples in context
- 눈이 언제 내리기 시작했어?When did it start snowing?This sentence is useful for asking about the start of an event like snowing using 시작.Tatoeba #8441230 by Eunhee, translation #8441020 by CK
- 어디서부터 시작할지 잘 모르겠어.I'm not sure where to start.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about a starting point using 시작.Tatoeba #8362091 by Eunhee, translation #2543511 by CK
- 나는 어디서부터 시작해야할지 몰랐다.I didn't know where to start.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of knowledge regarding where to begin using 시작.Tatoeba #13016644 by Uwe, translation #3820617 by CK
- 회의를 시작하겠습니다.I will start the meeting.
- 대회가 개시되었습니다.The competition has started.
- 게임 시작할게!I will start the game!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are at a cafe preparing for a study session.
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리 이제 공부 시작할까?uri ije gongbu sijak-hal-kka?Shall we start studying now?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 지금 바로 시작하자.eung, jigeum baro sijak-haja.Yes, let's start right away.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연아, 책 펴 놓았어?Seoyeon-a, chaek pyeo no-at-eo?Seoyeon, have you opened your book?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 다 준비됐어.eung, da junbi-dwaet-eo.Yes, I'm all ready.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 시작, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시작, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
