Particle 부터 (starting point)

In English, we usually put the word "from" or "starting" before the noun. In Korean, we do the opposite. You take a noun and stick 부터 right onto the end of it. There is no space between the noun and the particle. It acts like a little tag that says, "Hey, everything starts right here!" It does not matter if the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant. The form never changes. This makes it much easier than other particles that require you to check for a 받침 (bottom consonant). It is like a universal adapter for your sentences. Just plug it in and go. You will mostly use it with time words, but it works for order and sequence too. It is like the "Start" button on your microwave. Once you press it, the action begins.

1. 1Using 부터 is as easy as making instant noodles. You only need one step.
2. 2Take any noun (time, person, or place in a sequence).
3. 3Attach 부터 directly to the end of that noun.
4. 4오늘 (Today) + 부터 = 오늘부터 (From today)
5. 51시 (1 o'clock) + 부터 = 1시부터 (From 1 o'clock)
6. 6나 (Me) + 부터 = 나부터 (Starting with me / Me first)
7. 7See? No complicated rules. No irregular changes. It is a very polite particle that behaves itself every single time. Even if you are tired or haven't had your coffee yet, you can get this right. It is a grammar win for everyone!

Use 부터 whenever you want to emphasize a starting point.

• Time Scenarios: This is the most common use. Use it for hours, days, months, or general time words like "now" or "start." For example, "I am on a diet starting from today." (오늘부터 다이어트예요).
• Order and Priority: Use it when deciding who goes first. In a job interview, the manager might say, "Let's start with the person on the left." Or at a dinner, you might say, "Let's eat the appetizers first." (애피타이저부터 먹어요).
• Sequence in a Process: Use it when following steps. "Start from page 10" or "Start from the beginning of the song." It helps people follow your directions clearly.
• Asking Questions: You can ask "From when?" (언제부터?) or "From where (in a sequence)?" (어디부터?). It is perfect for clarifying plans with your Korean friends.

This is where things get a little tricky. Do not use 부터 for physical locations when you are talking about where you came from geographically. If you want to say "I came from New York," do not use 부터. Use 에서 instead. Think of it like this: 에서 is for your physical origin or the place where an action happens. 부터 is for the starting point in a timeline or a list. Using 부터 for your hometown sounds like you are a robot being manufactured starting from that city. It is a bit weird, right? Also, avoid using it with verbs directly. You must turn the verb into a noun first. But for now, just stick to nouns and you will be safe. It is like a grammar traffic light; 에서 is for the map, and 부터 is for the clock.

One big mistake is adding a space. 오늘 부터 is wrong. It must be 오늘부터. Another common slip-up is using it with 에서 at the same time. You usually pick one or the other. Beginners also often confuse 부터 with 한테서 (from a person). If you received a gift from a friend, use 한테서, not 부터. 부터 is not about who gave you something; it is about where the timeline starts. Yes, even native speakers might be lazy with particles sometimes, but they rarely mess this one up because it changes the meaning so much. If you say 나부터, it means "Starting with me." If you say 나한테서, it means "From me (as a source)." Big difference if you're sharing a pizza!

Let's compare 부터 with its best friend, 에서.

• 에서 (From a place): Focuses on the physical location. 서울에서 부산까지 (From Seoul to Busan).
• 부터 (From a time/order): Focuses on the start of a sequence. 1시부터 2시까지 (From 1 o'clock to 2 o'clock).

Wait, can you use 부터 with places? Yes, but only if you are talking about a sequence. If you are cleaning your house and say "I'll start from the kitchen," you can say 부엌부터. Here, the kitchen is the first item on your "to-do list." If you just say you are coming from the kitchen, use 부엌에서.

Also, compare it with 까지 (until). They are like peanut butter and jelly. They almost always go together to show a range: A부터 B까지 (From A to B).