“Well begun is half done” in Korean: 시작이 반이다

시작이 반이다

sijagi banida

Situation: Proverbs & idiomsLevel: Beginner (TOPIK 1–2)

Meaning

Well begun is half done.

Literally “the start is half.” The best-known proverb for encouraging someone who finds it hard to begin.

Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.

Syllables: 6 · Words: 2

Said aloud, it sounds like [시자기 바니다].

Syllable	Letters (consonant + vowel + final)	Romanization
시작이
시	ㅅ+ㅣ	si
작	ㅈ+ㅏ+ㄱ	[자] ja
이	ㅇ+ㅣ	[기] gi
반이다
반	ㅂ+ㅏ+ㄴ	[바] ba
이	ㅇ+ㅣ	[니] ni
다	ㄷ+ㅏ	da

A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.

Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 작이 → [자기]

Style: Plain form (-다)Sentence type: Statement or set phrase

Ends in -다. Common in proverbs, writing and the news, but not how you normally speak to the person in front of you.

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Question 1 What does “시작이 반이다” mean?

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Answer: Well begun is half done

Question 2 How do you say “Well begun is half done” in Korean?

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Answer: 시작이 반이다 sijagi banida

Question 3 How is “시작이 반이다” pronounced?

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Answer: [시자기 바니다]

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