-부터

Korean

Particle

부터 • (-buteo)

1. (generally) Used to show when or where an action or situation started.
   1. Used to illustrate the time that a certain action or situation began or will begin: (start) from; (start) at

      나는 한 시부터 늦게까지 공부했어요.

      na-neun han si-buteo neutge-kkaji gongbuhaesseoyo.

      I studied (starting) from one o’clock until late.

   2. Used to illustrate the place that a certain action began or will begin: from. Can be used after 에서 (eseo) 로 (ro) also together meaning "from".

      시험은 범위가 15 (십오)쪽부터 56 (오십육)쪽까지예요.

      siheom-eun beomwi-ga 15 (sibo)-jjok-buteo 56 (osibyuk)-jjok-kkaji-yeyo.

      Speaking of the test, it covers from page 15 to page 56.

      매리가 부산에서부터 열차를 탔어요.

      maeri-ga Busan-eseo-buteo yeolcha-reul tasseoyo.

      Mary rode the train (starting) from Busan.

   3. Used to illustrate an order of a series of actions.

      손부터 씻고 먹어요.

      son-buteo ssitgo meogeoyo.

      Wash your hands before you eat.

      좋은 음식을 먹고부터는 몸이 좋아졌다.

      jo'eun eumsig-eul meokgo-buteoneun mom-i joajeotda.

      I got fit after eating good foods.

      할 일이 많아서 무엇부터 해야 할지 모르겠어요.

      hal ir-i manaseo mueot-buteo haeya halji moreugesseoyo.

      I have so much work, I do not know where to start from.

See also

• 까지 (-kkaji, “until”), 에서 (-eseo, “from”)

References

• 표준국어대사전 (2008 February 28 (last accessed)) “부터 [buteo]”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎^[1], archived from the original on 30 December 2006
• 백봉자 (2006) 외국인으로서의 한국어 문법 사전, →ISBN, page 325