열다 vs 시작하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 열다
Listen to 시작하다
| 열다 | 시작하다 |
|---|---|
YEOL-da verb | sijakhada verb |
| to open (something); to start or turn on (a shop, program, etc.) | to begin, to start (an action, event, process) |
How they differ
시작하다 emphasizes the beginning of an action, process, or event, while 열다 can mean to convene/host an event or to physically open something; 열다 often carries the nuance of 'holding' or 'opening' an event, whereas 시작하다 only marks its start without implying hosting or planning.
When to use each
When to use 열다: Prefer 열다 when you mean to convene or host an event (e.g., open a ceremony, hold a conference) or to open a physical object.
When to use 시작하다: Prefer 시작하다 when you simply want to indicate that something is beginning, without implying organization or the act of opening.
Side-by-side examples
- 오늘 회의를 열겠습니다.
(I will hold/open the meeting today.) - 오늘 회의를 시작하겠습니다.
(I will start the meeting today.)
Register & nuance: Both are neutral; 열다 is idiomatic for convening events, while 시작하다 is a plain, general verb for beginning actions or processes.
- See the full Word of the Day entry for 열다
- See the Word of the Day entry for 시작하다
- Back to today's Korean word