Korean Grammar Point
부터 [buteo] (From)

부터 [buteo] (From)

Short explanation:

Used to indicate the starting point of an action or a range; 'from'.

Formation:

Noun + 부터

Examples:

나는 오늘부터 다이어트를 시작할 거예요, 그래서 단것들은 더 이상 먹지 않을 거예요.
Naneun oneulbuteo daieoteureul shijakhal geoyeyo, geuraeseo danggeomdeureun deo isang meokji anheul geoyeyo.
I will start a diet from today, so I won't eat desserts anymore.
어린이부터 어른까지 모두 이 영화를 즐길 수 있어요, 많은 메세지와 교훈이 담겨있어요.
Eorinibuteo eoreunkkaji modu i yeongawareul jeulgil su isseoyo, manheun mesaejirag gyohuni damgyeoisseoyo.
Everyone, from children to adults, can enjoy this movie as it contains many messages and lessons.
우리는 내일부터 다시 일을 시작해야 해요, 그러니 오늘을 체력을 보충하는 데 쓰세요.
Urineun naeilbuteo dashi ireul shijakhaya haeyo, geureoni oneureul cheolyeogeul bochunghaneun dae sseoseyo.
We have to start working again from tomorrow, so use today to replenish your energy.
나는 작년 여름부터 한국어를 공부하기 시작했어요, 그래서 이제 조금은 할 수 있어요.
Naneun jaknyeon yeoreumbuteo hangugeo gongbuhagi shijakhaesseoyo, geuraeseo ije jogeumeun hal su isseoyo.
I started studying Korean from last summer, so I can do a little bit now.

Long explanation:

'부터 [buteo]' is a postposition used in Korean to denote the starting point of an action or to indicate the contiguous order of multiple items in a series. It translates to 'from' in English and is generally used to specify the beginning of a time period, series, or range. It plays a crucial role in constructing temporal or spacial sequences and expressing starting points in the Korean language.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: 부터 [buteo] (From)

Korean Grammar Point: 부터 [buteo] (From)

부터 [buteo] (From)

1. Introduction

In Korean, particles are essential components that indicate the relationship between words in a sentence. One such particle is 부터 [buteo], which translates to "from" in English. It is used to denote the starting point of an action or state in terms of time or place. Understanding how to use 부터 correctly is crucial for expressing when or where something begins in Korean.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

부터 is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event in time or place. It answers the question "From when?" or "From where?"

Structure

The basic structure for using 부터 is:

  • Noun (Time/Place) + 부터

Formation Diagram

[Time/Place Noun] + 부터 => "From [Time/Place Noun]"

Usage Details

1. Starting Point in Time

When attached to a time noun, 부터 specifies when an action or event begins.

  • Examples:
    • 아침부터 (from the morning)
    • 내일부터 (from tomorrow)
    • 3시부터 (from 3 o'clock)

2. Starting Point in Place

When attached to a place noun, 부터 indicates where an action or movement starts.

  • Examples:
    • 집부터 (from home)
    • 여기부터 (from here)
    • 서울부터 (from Seoul)

3. Comparative Analysis

부터 vs. 에서

Both 부터 and 에서 can mean "from," but they have different usages:

Particle Usage Example Meaning
부터 Starting point in time or space 지금부터 시작합니다 "Starting from now"
에서 Location where an action occurs or begins 집에서 공부해요 "I study at home"
  • 부터 emphasizes the starting point itself.
  • 에서 emphasizes the location of an action.

부터 with 까지

  • 까지 means "to" or "until" and is often used with 부터 to indicate a range. Structure:
  • Noun + 부터 Noun + 까지 Examples:
  1. 서울부터 부산까지 기차로 여행했어요.
    • Seoulbuteo Busankkaji gicharo yeohaenghaesseoyo.
    • "I traveled by train from Seoul to Busan."
  2. 월요일부터 금요일까지 학교에 가요.
    • Woryoilbuteo Geumyoilkkaji hakgyoe gayo.
    • "I go to school from Monday to Friday."

4. Examples in Context

Time Examples

Formal Speech

  1. 회의는 오후 2시부터 시작됩니다.
    • Hoeuineun ohu dusi buteo sijakdoemnida.
    • "The meeting starts from 2 p.m."
  2. 다음 주부터 가격이 인상됩니다.
    • Daeum jubuteo gagyeogi insangdoemnida.
    • "Prices will increase from next week."

Informal Speech

  1. 지금부터 영화 볼래?
    • Jigeumbuteo yeonghwa bolla?
    • "Do you want to watch a movie starting now?"
  2. 방학이 내일부터야!
    • Banghagi naeilbuteoya!
    • "Vacation starts from tomorrow!"

Place Examples

Formal Speech

  1. 여기부터는 출입이 금지됩니다.
    • Yeogibuteoneun churibi geumjidoemnida.
    • "From here, entry is prohibited."
  2. 이 길은 서울역부터 시작합니다.
    • I gireun Seoul-yeokbuteo sijakhamnida.
    • "This road starts from Seoul Station."

Informal Speech

  1. 집부터 학교까지 걸어갔어.
    • Jipbuteo hakgyokkaji georeogasseo.
    • "I walked from home to school."
  2. 여기부터는 내가 운전할게.
    • Yeogibuteoneun naega unjeonhalge.
    • "From here, I'll drive."

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

  • In Korean culture, specifying time and place with particles like 부터 reflects respect and clarity in communication.
  • Punctuality is valued, and using 부터 emphasizes the start time of events, which aligns with social expectations.

Idiomatic Expressions Using 부터

  1. 머리부터 발끝까지
    • Meoributeo balkkeutkkaji
    • "From head to toe"
  2. 처음부터 끝까지
    • Cheoeumbuteo kkeutkkaji
    • "From beginning to end"

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

  1. Confusing 부터 with 에서
    • Incorrect: 서울에서 부산까지 갔어요.
    • Correct: 서울부터 부산까지 갔어요.
      • When indicating the starting point of movement, use 부터, not 에서.
  2. Using 부터 with Particles Like 에게
    • Incorrect: 친구에게부터 편지를 받았어요.
    • Correct: 친구로부터 편지를 받았어요.
      • When receiving something from someone, use (으)로부터 instead.

Tips

  • Mnemonic Device: Think of 부터 as "beginning" with 'b', indicating the start point.
  • Remembering Usage:
    • 부터 = Starting point in time/place.
    • 에서 = Location of action.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • 부터 is a particle meaning "from," used to indicate the starting point in time or place.
  • Structure: Noun (Time/Place) + 부터
  • Often paired with 까지 to express a range (from... to...).

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Fill in the blank: "I will start studying Korean from tomorrow."
    • Answer: 내일부터 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
  2. True or False: 부터 can be used to indicate the source of receiving something from someone.
    • Answer: False (Use (으)로부터 instead.)
  3. Choose the correct particle: "She came from the library."
    • Answer: 그녀는 도서관부터 왔어요.
  4. Translate to Korean: "The store is open from 9 a.m."
    • Answer: 가게는 오전 9시부터 엽니다.

Practice Exercise

Create sentences using 부터:

  1. From now on, I will exercise every day.
    • Answer: 지금부터 매일 운동할 거예요.
  2. The concert starts from 7 p.m.
    • Answer: 콘서트는 오후 7시부터 시작해요.

Additional Resources

  • Practice Tip: Try making sentences with different time and place nouns to get comfortable with using 부터.
  • Vocabulary Expansion: Learn time and place nouns to expand your ability to use 부터 effectively.

부터 [buteo] (From) Grammar Lesson Recap

  • Meaning: Indicates the starting point in time or place.
  • Structure: Noun (Time/Place) + 부터
  • Comparison: 부터 (starting point) vs. 에서 (location of action)
  • Common Mistakes: Mixing up 부터 and 에서, misusing with other particles.

By mastering 부터, you enhance your ability to express when and where actions begin, making your Korean communication more precise and natural.

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