Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to start" in Korean: 시작하다
시작하다sijakhada
to start in Korean is 시작하다 (sijakhada). 시작하다 can start an activity; 시작되다 describes an event beginning without naming its agent.
to start: an everyday statement
수업을 시작해요.sueobeul sijakaeyo.
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How to pronounce 시작하다
Say it
sijakhada
/sitɕakʰata/
Read 시작하다 as sijakhada. The spoken form 시작해요 is sijakaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to start" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 시작하다sijakhada | to start Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 시작해요sijakaeyo | to start (polite present) Use 시작해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 시작해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 시작했어요sijakaesseoyo | to start (polite past) Use 시작했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 시작했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 시작하다 in real life
- 1to start: an everyday statement
수업을 시작해요.
sueobeul sijakaeyo.
We start the class.
시작해요 is the present form of 시작하다.
- 2to start: a different situation
어제 새 일을 시작했어요.
eoje sae ireul sijakaesseoyo.
I started a new job yesterday.
시작했어요 is the past form of 시작하다.
- 3to start: a question or request
언제 시작해요?
eonje sijakaeyo?
When do you start?
시작해요 is the present form of 시작하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 시작하다
Incorrect: 시작하다.
Correct: 시작해요.
When practicing to start, 시작하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 시작해요.
Incorrect: 어제 시작해요.
Correct: 어제 시작했어요.
When practicing to start, for a completed event yesterday, use 시작했어요; the present form 시작해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
시작하다 can start an activity; 시작되다 describes an event beginning without naming its agent. 시작해요 is the polite conversational form of 시작하다; 시작했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 시작하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
수업을 시작해요.
sueobeul sijakaeyo.
We start the class.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 새 일을 시작했어요.
eoje sae ireul sijakaesseoyo.
I started a new job yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to start" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to start" in Korean
How do I use 시작하다 in polite speech?
시작해요 is the polite conversational form of 시작하다; 시작했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 시작하다 in a past-tense sentence?
시작했어요 is the polite past form. 시작하다 can start an activity; 시작되다 describes an event beginning without naming its agent.
What does 시작해요 mean here?
시작해요 is used for to start. For example, 수업을 시작해요. means “We start the class.”
What should I remember about 시작하다?
시작하다 can start an activity; 시작되다 describes an event beginning without naming its agent.
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