Korean

Particle

부터 • ‎(buteo)

A special particle (보조사, bojosa) used to show when or where an action or situation started. 부터 (buteo) can be used in three situations.

1. To illustrate the time that a certain action or situation began or will begin. Equates to "(start) from" or "(start) at" in English.

   나는 한 시부터 늦게까지 공부했어요.‎

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

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

2. To illustrate the place that a certain action began or will begin. Equates to "from" in English. 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. 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 joajyeotda.

   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 (accessed 2008-02-28), “부터”, in (Please provide the title of the work)
• 백봉자 (2006) 외국인으로서의 한국어 문법 사전, ISBN 89-7699-437-X 03710, page 325