Korean word

시동

Pronunciation

Romanizationsidong

Meaning

  • nounstart

Example

아침에 차에 시동을 걸었어요.a chi me cha e si dong eul keo reo sseo yo

I started the car in the morning.

Illustration for 시동 (start)

More examples

시동이 잘 걸리지 않아서 정비소에 맡겼어요.si dong i chal keol li ji a na seo cheong bi so e mat kkyeo sseo yo

The engine would not start properly, so I left it at the repair shop.

Core concept

The starting point where a vehicle or machine changes from inactive to running.

Common phrases

  • 시동을 걸다si dong eul keol da

    start the engine

  • 시동이 걸리다si dong i keol li da

    the engine starts

  • 시동을 끄다si dong eul kkeu da

    turn off the engine

Similar words

시작sijak: The first moment when an event or action begins.
출발chulbal: The time or act of setting off on a trip.
발동palttong: The moment a machine or system begins to operate.

Definition in Korean

엔진을 처음으로 작동시켜 차량이나 기계를 움직이게 하는 시작 행위나 상태en ji neul cheo eu meu ro chak ttong si kyeo cha ryang i na ki gye reul um ji gi ge ha neun si jak haeng wi na sang tae

Word origin

Formed from Sino-Korean elements for beginning and movement, the word names the act of setting an engine in motion.

Usage tips

  • Native English speakers can remember that this word is closely linked to cars and engines, while English start can also describe events and activities.

Opposites

Related words

  • 시동기sidonggistarternoun
  • 시동장치sidongjangchistarting systemnoun

Word lists with this word