으로부터 (eu-ro-bu-teo, eurobuteo) · 에서 (e-seo, eseo)
으로부터 indicates the source or origin, while 에서 denotes the location where an action takes place.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
the starting point or origin of an action or state
When to use
source of information, origin of influence, expressing starting point
The nuance
으로부터 primarily indicates the starting point or origin, often used as ‘~로부터’. It expresses the source of an action, information, or influence.
the place or location where an action or event occurs
When to use
place of action, location of event, emphasizing place
The nuance
에서 mainly indicates the location where an action or event happens, expressing the place of occurrence or activity.
그 소식은 신문으로부터 들었어요.
geu so-sik-eun sin-mun-eu-ro-bu-teo deul-eoss-eo-yo., geu so sik eun sin mun eu ro bu teo deul eoss eo yo.
‘으로부터’ correctly indicates the source of information.
그 소식은 신문에서 들었어요.
geu so-sik-eun sin-mun-e-seo deul-eoss-eo-yo., geu so sik eun sin mun e seo deul eoss eo yo.
‘에서’ indicates location, not source, so it is inappropriate for expressing source of information; use ‘으로부터’ instead.
학교에서 공부해요.
hak-gyo-e-seo gong-bu-hae-yo., hak gyo e seo gong bu hae yo.
‘에서’ appropriately indicates the location where the action happens.
학교으로부터 공부해요.
hak-gyo-eu-ro-bu-teo gong-bu-hae-yo., hak gyo eu ro bu teo gong bu hae yo.
‘으로부터’ indicates origin, so it is incorrect for expressing location of action.
그는 부모님으로부터 많은 사랑을 받았다.
geu-neun bu-mo-nim-eu-ro-bu-teo man-eun sa-rang-eul bat-ass-da., geu neun bu mo nim eu ro bu teo man eun sa rang eul bat ass da.
‘으로부터’ properly expresses the source of love.
그는 부모님에서 많은 사랑을 받았다.
geu-neun bu-mo-nim-e-seo man-eun sa-rang-eul bat-ass-da., geu neun bu mo nim e seo man eun sa rang eul bat ass da.
‘에서’ indicates location, not source, so it is inappropriate for expressing source of love.
도서관에서 책을 빌렸어요.
do-seo-gwan-e-seo chaek-eul bil-ryeoss-eo-yo., do seo gwan e seo chaek eul bil ryeoss eo yo.
‘에서’ correctly indicates the place where the action occurs.
도서관으로부터 책을 빌렸어요.
do-seo-gwan-eu-ro-bu-teo chaek-eul bil-ryeoss-eo-yo., do seo gwan eu ro bu teo chaek eul bil ryeoss eo yo.
‘으로부터’ indicates origin, so it is wrong for expressing location of an action.
Which sentence cannot use ‘으로부터’?
Which sentence correctly uses ‘에서’?
Which sentence correctly uses ‘으로부터’?
