시작(si-jak, sijak)
The beginning or commencement of an event or action
When to use
activity start, time start, project start
The nuance
'시작' is used when an action or event begins. It mainly indicates the starting point of time, activity, or process.
시작 vs 종료: When to Use Each Correctly
시작 (si-jak, sijak) · 종료 (jong-ryo, jongryo)
'시작' is used when something begins, while '종료' is used when something ends.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
종료(jong-ryo, jongryo)
The ending or completion of an event or action
When to use
activity end, time end, project end
The nuance
'종료' is used when an action or event ends. It mainly indicates the ending or closing point of time, activity, or process.
Real-world examples
회의가 9시에 시작합니다.
hoe-ui-ga 9si-e si-jak-hap-ni-da., hoe ui ga 9si e si jak hap ni da.
The meeting begins at 9, so '시작' (start) is correct.
회의가 9시에 종료합니다.
hoe-ui-ga 9si-e jong-ryo-hap-ni-da., hoe ui ga 9si e jong ryo hap ni da.
The meeting ends at 9, so '종료' (end) is appropriate.
프로젝트가 다음 달에 종료됩니다.
peu-ro-jek-teu-ga da-eum dal-e jong-ryo-doep-ni-da., peu ro jek teu ga da eum dal e jong ryo doep ni da.
When referring to the project ending, '종료' is used.
프로젝트가 다음 달에 시작됩니다.
peu-ro-jek-teu-ga da-eum dal-e si-jak-doep-ni-da., peu ro jek teu ga da eum dal e si jak doep ni da.
Refers to the project beginning, so '시작' is correct.
수업이 오후 3시에 시작 종료합니다.
su-eop-i o-hu 3si-e si-jak jong-ryo-hap-ni-da., su eop i o hu 3si e si jak jong ryo hap ni da.
'시작' and '종료' cannot be used together simultaneously; only one fits.
행사가 종료되었습니다, 이제 시작합니다.
haeng-sa-ga jong-ryo-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da, i-je si-jak-hap-ni-da., haeng sa ga jong ryo doe eoss seup ni da, i je si jak hap ni da.
The event ended and a new activity starts; this usage is natural.
영화가 시작 종료되었습니다.
yeong-hwa-ga si-jak jong-ryo-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., yeong hwa ga si jak jong ryo doe eoss seup ni da.
'시작 종료' combined is grammatically incorrect.
수업 시작 시간이 변경되었습니다.
su-eop si-jak si-gan-i byeon-gyeong-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., su eop si jak si gan i byeon gyeong doe eoss seup ni da.
When talking about the start time of class, '시작' is correct.
Quick quiz
Which word is appropriate to describe the end time of a meeting?
회의가 끝나는 시점을 말할 때 적절한 단어는?(hoe-ui-gakkeut-na-neunsi-jeom-eulmal-halttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, hoeuigakkeutnaneunsijeomeulmalhalttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)The new project has ___ started.
새로운 프로젝트가 ___되었습니다.(sae-ro-unpeu-ro-jek-teu-ga___doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., saerounpeurojekteuga___doeeossseupnida.)The event has ___ ended, now it's time to wrap up.
행사가 ___되었습니다, 이제 정리할 시간입니다.(haeng-sa-ga___doe-eoss-seup-ni-da,i-jejeong-ri-halsi-gan-ip-ni-da., haengsaga___doeeossseupnida,ijejeongrihalsiganipnida.)
More comparisons to explore
- 시작 vs 중단: When to Use Each?
- 시작 vs 중간 vs 끝: Core Differences in Time and Position
- 시작하다 vs 끝내다: The Difference Between Starting and Finishing
- 시작하다 vs 끝나다: Clear Distinction Between Start and End
- 연결 vs 종결 vs 전성: Differences in Sentence and Word Endings
- 이번주 vs 다음주: Clear Time Sense Distinction
- 팬 vs 안티: The Boundary Between Like and Dislike
- 전혀 vs 별로 vs 조금도: Subtle Differences in Negation