Core Pattern Rule: -기 시작하다 (To Start Doing)
This pattern marks the beginning of an action or a change in state. It's equivalent to saying "to start doing..." or "to begin to be..." in English.
Formation
Attach -기 시작하다 directly to the stem of a verb or an adjective.
Verb stem + -기 시작하다
먹다 (to eat) → 먹기 시작하다 (to start eating)
공부하다 (to study) → 공부하기 시작하다 (to start studying)
Adjective stem + -기 시작하다
아프다 (to be sick/painful) → 아프기 시작하다 (to start hurting)
배고프다 (to be hungry) → 배고프기 시작하다 (to start getting hungry)
Tense
The tense (past, present, future) is always applied to the final verb, 시작하다, not the verb it's attached to.
Past: 시작했어(요) - Most common usage
Present: 시작해(요) or 시작한다
Future: 시작할 거야/거예요
비가 오기 시작해. / 한국어를 공부하기 시작했어요. / 배가 아프기 시작했어.
Usage with Verbs and Adjectives
A key feature of -기 시작하다 is that it works smoothly with both action verbs and descriptive verbs (adjectives).
With Action Verbs
This is the most straightforward usage. It marks the beginning of a tangible action.
운동하기 시작했어. (I started exercising.)
아기가 울기 시작했어요. (The baby started crying.)
With Adjectives (Descriptive Verbs)
When used with adjectives, it describes the onset of a state, feeling, or quality. In English, this often translates to "started to get..." or "started to feel...".
배고프기 시작했어. (I started getting hungry.)
머리가 아프기 시작했어요. (My head started hurting.)
그를 좋아하기 시작했어. (I started liking him.)
저녁을 먹기 시작했어. / 배가 아프기 시작했어요. / 그를 좋아하기 시작했어.