Processing keyword: ~기 시작하다 [gi sijakhada] (Start to do)

Korean Grammar Point: ~기 시작하다 [gi sijakhada] (Start to do)

1. Introduction

The grammar pattern ~기 시작하다 is used in Korean to express the beginning of an action or process. It is equivalent to the English phrase "to start doing" something. This pattern is commonly used in both spoken and written Korean to indicate that someone has begun an activity.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ~기 시작하다: To start doing something.

Formation

To use this grammar pattern, attach ~기 시작하다 to the verb stem of an action verb.

Structure

[Verb stem] + 기 시작하다

Formation Diagram

Verb Base Form	Remove Ending	Verb Stem	Add 기 시작하다	Result
먹다 (to eat)	다	먹	먹기 시작하다	먹기 시작하다
공부하다 (to study)	다	공부하	공부하기 시작하다	공부하기 시작하다
비가 오다 (rain comes)	다	비가 오	비가 오기 시작하다	비가 오기 시작하다

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3. Comparative Analysis

• ~기 시작하다 vs. ~始める in Japanese: Similar to the Japanese grammar pattern ~始める (~hajimeru), which also means "to start doing" something.
• ~아/어서 시작하다: This pattern can also mean "start doing," but it's more about the sequence of actions, whereas ~기 시작하다 focuses on the initiation of an action.

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4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. 저는 한국어를 배우기 시작했습니다.
   • I started learning Korean. (Formal polite)
2. 친구가 갑자기 웃기 시작했어요.
   • My friend suddenly started laughing. (Informal polite)
3. 아기가 울기 시작한다.
   • The baby starts to cry. (Plain form, narrative)
4. 비가 내리기 시작할 거예요.
   • It will start to rain. (Future tense, informal polite)
5. 그들은 운동하기 시작했습니다.
   • They started exercising. (Formal polite)

Various Contexts

• Formal Written: 연구가 진행되기 시작했다. (The research began to proceed.)
• Informal Spoken: 이제 영화 보기 시작해요? (Shall we start watching the movie now?)
• Question Form: 언제 일하기 시작했어요? (When did you start working?)
• Negative Form: 그는 포기하기 시작하지 않았어요. (He hasn't started giving up.)

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Korean culture, expressing the initiation of actions is often linked to showing determination or a change in state. Using ~기 시작하다 can indicate a significant shift in someone's actions or feelings, which can be important in storytelling and conveying emotional states.

Levels of Politeness

• Formal Polite: ~기 시작합니다.
• Informal Polite: ~기 시작해요.
• Plain/Formal Written: ~기 시작한다.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 사랑에 빠지기 시작하다
  • To start falling in love.
• 관심을 갖기 시작하다
  • To start taking interest.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Attaching to the full verb instead of the stem:
   • Incorrect: 먹다기 시작하다 ❌
   • Correct: 먹기 시작하다 ✅
2. Using with adjectives (descriptive verbs):
   • ~기 시작하다 is typically used with action verbs, not adjectives.
   • Incorrect: 행복하기 시작하다 ❌
   • Correct: 행복해지기 시작하다 (to start becoming happy) ✅

Tips

• Mnemonic Device: Think of ~기 as turning the verb into a noun ("the act of doing"), so 먹기 시작하다 is like saying "start the act of eating."
• Remember the Verb Stem: Always remove 다 from the dictionary form to find the verb stem before adding ~기 시작하다.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~기 시작하다 is used to express starting an action.
• Attach ~기 시작하다 to the verb stem of action verbs.
• Be mindful of the formality level when conjugating 시작하다.
• Do not use with adjectives; if necessary, change the adjective to an action verb form.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "I started reading a book" in Korean?
2. Is it correct to say 예쁘기 시작하다? Why or why not?
3. Fill in the blank: 비가 ______ 시작했어요. (It started to rain.)

Answers

1. **저는 책을 읽기 시작했어요.** 2. No, it's incorrect because **예쁘다** is an adjective. You should use an action verb like **예뻐지다** (to become pretty): **예뻐지기 시작하다**. 3. **내리기** - 비가 내리기 시작했어요.

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