에서부터 (from location) - From (Starting Point)

This pattern is actually a "compound particle." You are just stacking two existing blocks. First, you take a noun that represents a place. Then, you attach 에서. Finally, you stick 부터 right onto the end. There are no spaces between them. It is one solid unit: Noun + 에서부터. It essentially means "starting from (this location)." Because it has 에서 inside it, it strictly deals with physical spaces or origins. You can imagine a runner at a starting block. The block is the 에서, and the act of starting the race is the 부터. When you use them together, you are focusing on that exact moment of departure. It is very common to see this paired with 까지 (until/to). This creates a clear "A to B" structure. It sounds much more deliberate than just using a simple marker. It adds a sense of range or distance to your sentence.

1. 1Pick your starting location noun (e.g., 집, 학교, 서울).
2. 2Add the combined particle 에서부터 directly to the noun.
3. 3Do not worry about whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant. The rule never changes!
4. 4집 (Home) + 에서부터 = 집에서부터 (From home)
5. 5학교 (School) + 에서부터 = 학교에서부터 (From school)
6. 6여기 (Here) + 에서부터 = 여기에서부터 (From right here)
7. 7어디 (Where) + 에서부터 = 어디에서부터 (From where?)

Use 에서부터 when the starting point is the most important part of your sentence. If you are describing a long hike, say 산 입구에서부터 (from the mountain entrance). It emphasizes that you started *right there*. It is perfect for directions. If a tourist asks where the festival starts, you can point and say 저기에서부터요 (It starts from over there). You can also use it for abstract origins that feel like locations. For example, 머리에서부터 발끝까지 (from head to toe). It feels like a map of the body. Use it when you want to sound more thorough. It is great for job interviews too. You might explain how you worked your way up 바닥에서부터 (from the bottom). It shows grit and a clear path of progress. Think of it as the grammar version of a GPS "Start" button.

Do not use 에서부터 for time. This is a classic trap! For time, you only need 부터. If you say 두 시에서부터, Koreans will look at you like you have two heads. Just say 두 시부터 (from two o'clock). Also, avoid using it for people. If you received a gift from a friend, use 에게서 or 한테서. Saying 친구에서부터 sounds like your friend is a physical building you just walked out of. Unless your friend is a giant, stick to the person markers! Finally, do not use it for short, unimportant distances. If you just moved a cup from the table to the counter, 에서부터 is way too dramatic. It is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Keep it for when the "from" actually matters.

Mixing up 에서부터 and 부터 is the most frequent blunder. Remember: 에서부터 is for places, 부터 is for time. Another mistake is forgetting the 에서. If you say 서울부터 부산까지, it is technically okay, but it lacks the "origin" vibe. It sounds more like a list than a journey. Some learners also try to add a space between 에서 and 부터. Keep them joined! They are best friends. Also, watch out for the "person" rule again. Do not use it for your boss, your mom, or your cat. Use it for the office, the house, or the pet store. If you find yourself saying 언제에서부터 (from when), stop right there! It should always be 언제부터.

Let's compare our star with its cousins. 에서 is the basic "at" or "from." It is neutral. 집에서 왔어요 just means "I came from home." It is a simple fact. 부터 is about sequence or starting points. It can be used for time *and* location. However, when used for location, it is less common than 에서. Now, 에서부터 is the heavy lifter. It emphasizes the *range* and the *origin*. If 에서 is a dot on a map, 에서부터 is the beginning of a long line. There is also 에게서, which is strictly for people or living things. If a rumor started from a person, use 에게서. If it started from a specific office, use 에서부터. It is all about what kind of "source" you are talking about.