similar split · similar, verbs
Start vs Begin in Korean
Use these when you want to talk about starting something new 👇 🔴 시작하다 [sijakhada] - start (everyday use)

How these words work together
Both 시작하다 and 개시하다 mean to start or begin something in Korean. 시작하다 is more commonly used in everyday situations and casual speech. 개시하다 is more formal and often used in official or written contexts. They can often be used interchangeably, but the level of formality is the main difference.
Words in this chart
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 시작하다 | sijakhada | Start |
| 개시하다 | gaesihada | Begin |
Example sentences
수업을 시작하다.
To start the class.
회의를 개시하다.
To begin the meeting.
축제가 오늘 오후에 시작합니다.
The festival starts this afternoon.
Practice these words in context? Open the vocab quiz · Browse how-to-say word guides.