시작하다 (si-jak-ha-da, sijakhada) · 끝내다 (kkeut-nae-da, kkeutnaeda)
'시작하다' is used when beginning or initiating something, while '끝내다' is used when finishing or completing something.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A verb used when beginning or initiating something
When to use
Action start, Project initiation, Temporal beginning
The nuance
'시작하다' is used to indicate the moment an action or process begins. It expresses the starting point of an activity, e.g., 'start work', 'begin studying'.
A verb used when finishing or completing something
When to use
Action completion, Task finishing, Temporal ending
The nuance
'끝내다' is used when an action or process is fully completed. It indicates that something has been brought to an end, e.g., 'finish work', 'complete an assignment'.
나는 오늘 프로젝트를 시작했다.
na-neun o-neul peu-ro-jek-teu-reul si-jak-haess-da., na neun o neul peu ro jek teu reul si jak haess da.
Correct usage for initiating a project from the beginning.
나는 오늘 프로젝트를 끝냈다.
na-neun o-neul peu-ro-jek-teu-reul kkeut-naess-da., na neun o neul peu ro jek teu reul kkeut naess da.
Correct usage for completing a project.
나는 오늘 공부를 끝내기 시작했다.
na-neun o-neul gong-bu-reul kkeut-nae-gi si-jak-haess-da., na neun o neul gong bu reul kkeut nae gi si jak haess da.
Using 'finish' and 'start' together is contradictory; only 'start' should be used when beginning to study.
수업이 시작되었다.
su-eop-i si-jak-doe-eoss-da., su eop i si jak doe eoss da.
Appropriate expression for a class beginning.
수업을 끝내기 시작했다.
su-eop-eul kkeut-nae-gi si-jak-haess-da., su eop eul kkeut nae gi si jak haess da.
Using 'finish' and 'start' together is semantically incorrect; only 'finish' is appropriate when ending a class.
그는 일을 끝내고 집에 갔다.
geu-neun il-eul kkeut-nae-go jip-e gass-da., geu neun il eul kkeut nae go jip e gass da.
Correct sentence expressing finishing work before going home.
그는 일을 시작하고 집에 갔다.
geu-neun il-eul si-jak-ha-go jip-e gass-da., geu neun il eul si jak ha go jip e gass da.
Naturally expresses starting work and then going home.
나는 끝내 공부를 시작했다.
na-neun kkeut-nae gong-bu-reul si-jak-haess-da., na neun kkeut nae gong bu reul si jak haess da.
Since '끝내다' means completion, it contradicts 'start studying' when used together.
Which sentence correctly uses '시작하다'?
Which sentence appropriately uses '끝내다'?
Which sentence correctly uses both '끝내다' and '시작하다' together?
