부터 vs 에서: Which 'From' Do I Use?
English uses one word for both. Korean splits it by time and place.
English gets away with a single word: "from 3 o'clock", "from Seoul". Korean uses two different particles, and picking the wrong one is one of the most common beginner slips.
The split is refreshingly simple once you see it. 부터 starts a time. 에서 starts a place.
Quick Summary
부터 marks where something starts in time or sequence. 에서 marks where something starts in space.
| Particle | Core Meaning | Used With | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 부터 (buteo) | From (time / order) | Clock times, dates, sequences, 'first' | 9시부터 일해요 I work from 9 o'clock |
| 에서 (eseo) | From (place / origin) | Cities, countries, buildings, physical origins | 서울에서 왔어요 I came from Seoul |
When to Use 부터
1. Starting Time
The core use. Attach 부터 to any point in time to say things begin there. It pairs naturally with 까지 ('until') to give a full range.
9시부터 6시까지 일해요.
I work from 9 to 6.
2. Starting Point in a Sequence
Use 부터 for order rather than clock time — which thing comes first. This is where it stops feeling like 'time' and starts feeling like 'first of all'.
이것부터 하세요.
Start with this one.
3. From the Beginning
부터 attaches to abstract starting points too, like 처음 (the beginning) or 아침 (morning). English often says 'since' or 'ever since' here.
처음부터 알았어요.
I knew from the start.
When to Use 에서
Use 에서 when the 'from' is a physical place — where you came from, where something originated, where a journey began. Note that this is the same 에서 that marks where an action happens; the 'from' meaning shows up specifically with verbs of coming, arriving, and sending.
한국에서 왔어요.
I came from Korea.
집에서 학교까지 멀어요.
It's far from home to school.
친구에서 편지가 왔어요.
A letter came from a friend's place.
Core Concept
Common Mistakes
How to Choose in 5 Seconds
Follow these 5-second rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 부터~까지 and 에서~까지?
부터~까지 covers a span of time (9시부터 6시까지 — from 9 to 6). 에서~까지 covers a span of space (집에서 회사까지 — from home to the office). 까지 works as 'until/to' for both.
Can 부터 be used with places at all?
Yes, but it changes the nuance. 여기부터 시작해요 means 'let's start from here' in the sense of order or sequence, not physical origin. For 'I came from here', you still need 에서.
Is 에서 ever used for time?
No. That is one of the firmest rules in Korean particles. Any 'from [time]' uses 부터.
Why does 에서 have two completely different meanings?
에서 marks a location that something proceeds out of — either an action unfolding there (집에서 공부해요) or movement originating there (집에서 왔어요). The verb tells you which reading applies.