시작하다 (si-jak-ha-da, sijakhada) · 끝나다 (kkeut-na-da, kkeutnada)
'시작하다' (sijak-hada) expresses the moment something begins, while '끝나다' (kkeutnada) indicates when something finishes; they clearly mark opposite points in time.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates the moment or act of something beginning.
When to use
Event start, Class start, Work start
The nuance
Used to express the point when an action or event begins, often with an active subject or naturally starting event.
Indicates the moment when something finishes or comes to an end.
When to use
Movie end, Class end, Meeting finish
The nuance
Used to express the point when an action or event completely ends, often in passive situations or completion states.
회의가 3시에 시작했다.
hoe-ui-ga 3si-e si-jak-haess-da., hoe ui ga 3si e si jak haess da.
'시작하다' properly expresses the moment the meeting begins.
회의가 3시에 끝났다.
hoe-ui-ga 3si-e kkeut-nass-da., hoe ui ga 3si e kkeut nass da.
'끝나다' correctly indicates the meeting's finishing time.
수업이 9시에 끝났다.
su-eop-i 9si-e kkeut-nass-da., su eop i 9si e kkeut nass da.
'끝나다' is used for expressing when the class finishes.
수업이 9시에 시작났다.
su-eop-i 9si-e si-jak-nass-da., su eop i 9si e si jak nass da.
'시작났다' is incorrect; use '시작했다' instead.
영화가 10시에 시작했다.
yeong-hwa-ga 10si-e si-jak-haess-da., yeong hwa ga 10si e si jak haess da.
'시작하다' correctly indicates the movie's starting time.
영화가 10시에 시작났다.
yeong-hwa-ga 10si-e si-jak-nass-da., yeong hwa ga 10si e si jak nass da.
'시작났다' is a non-existent form and incorrect.
작업이 끝났다.
jak-eop-i kkeut-nass-da., jak eop i kkeut nass da.
'끝나다' is appropriate for indicating work completion.
작업이 시작났다.
jak-eop-i si-jak-nass-da., jak eop i si jak nass da.
'시작났다' is incorrect; use '시작했다'.
Which sentence correctly uses '시작하다'?
Which sentence correctly uses '끝나다'?
Which word fits best in '작업이 ___'?
