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Lv 1ParticleBeginner · TOPIK I

부터

buteo

from; since

Marks the starting point of a range in time, order, or sequence—equivalent to 'from' or 'since'—and is often paired with 까지 ('to/until').

Form

Attaches to
Noun
Other shapes
에서부터(서부터)

Meanings

  1. 1

    A postpositional particle that indicates the start or beginning of something.

    어떤 일의 시작이나 처음을 나타내는 조사.

    ※ 주로 ‘~부터 ~까지’로 쓴다.

Examples

  • 이 지루한 책을 처음부터 끝까지 다 읽으려니 힘들다.

    It's tiring to read this boring book from beginning to end.

  • 서울부터 부산까지 기차로는 여섯 시간이 걸린다.

    It takes six hours by train from Seoul to Busan.

  • 젊어서부터 건강을 관리하던 승규는 노년이 된 지금도 건강하다.

    Seunggyu, who has managed his health since he was young, is still healthy now in his old age.

  • 얼굴에 여드름이 생기고부터 지수는 사람들을 만나는 게 싫어졌다.

    Ever since acne appeared on her face, Jisu has disliked meeting people.

  • 오늘 회의 언제부터 한다고 했지? 세 시에 시작이야.

    What time did you say today's meeting starts? It starts at three.

  • 오늘 회의 언제부터 한다고 했지?

    What time did you say today's meeting starts?

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Don’t confuse with

Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘부터’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “from; since”?