empezar
/empeˈθaɾ/
To begin in Spanish is to say empezar. Wiktionary also lists comenzar and principiar.
Meaning: to start, begin (intransitive) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| empezar | /empeˈθaɾ/ /empeˈsaɾ/ |
| comenzar | /komenˈθaɾ/ /komenˈsaɾ/ |
| principiar | /pɾinθiˈpjaɾ/ /pɾinsiˈpjaɾ/ |
It is an intransitive verb, meaning it can stand on its own to indicate something is starting.
Which one should you use?
Iniciar and the phrase dar inicio a are used for more formal or official beginnings, while arrancar is a more informal way to say 'to start' or 'to begin'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Latin America, the informal verb arrancar is used to mean 'to start' or 'to begin'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using empezar followed by another verb, you must include the preposition a (e.g., empezar a…). Additionally, empezar is a stem-changing verb where the e in the root changes to ie in many present tense forms, such as empiezo (I begin).
How do you pronounce it?
/empeˈθaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb arrancar literally means 'to tear out' or 'to rip up', yet it is commonly used colloquially to mean 'to start' an engine or a process.
- The verb empezar is built from the word pieza, meaning 'piece'. Historically, the verb carries the underlying idea of starting something by breaking off a piece or breaking something open.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, ¡Empezamos! acts as a collective call to action meaning 'Let's get started!' rather than a simple statement of fact.
Examples in context
- Es hora de empezar.It's time to begin.This sentence shows how to use empezar to indicate it is time to start.Tatoeba #6591679 by arh, translation #2081283 by Eldad
- Es tiempo de comenzar.Time to begin.This sentence shows how to use comenzar to indicate the time to begin.Tatoeba #2081279 by marcelostockle, translation #2081284 by Eldad
- ¿Puedo empezar a comer?May I begin to eat?This sentence demonstrates the requirement of the preposition a when empezar is followed by another verb.Tatoeba #2220597 by Shishir, translation #448724 by CK
- La reunión comenzará a las 9 de la mañanaThe meeting will begin at 9 a.m.
- El concierto empezará puntualmente a las 8 de la nocheThe concert will begin promptly at 8 p.m.
- El alcalde inició la ceremonia con un discursoThe mayor began the ceremony with a speech
- El director dará inicio al evento con unas palabras de bienvenidaThe director will begin the event with some words of welcome
- Vamos a empezar a ver la película ahoraWe're going to begin watching the movie now
- Comencemos a disfrutar de nuestras vacacionesLet's start enjoying our vacation
- Vamos a arrancar la fiesta con un baileWe're going to kick off the party with a dance
- El curso de español comenzará el próximo lunesThe Spanish course will begin next Monday
- ¡Empecemos por el primer ejercicio!Let's start with the first exercise!
- Voy a comenzar a leer este libro esta nocheI'm going to start reading this book tonight
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are at a cinema ready to watch a film.
- Daniel¿A qué hora va a empezar la película?What time is the movie going to begin?
- LucíaCreo que va a empezar ahora mismo.I think it is going to begin right now.
- DanielPerfecto, vamos a sentarnos.Perfect, let's sit down.
- LucíaSí, la sala está casi vacía.Yes, the theater is almost empty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “begin” translations and entries empezar, comenzar, principiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comenzar, empezar, principiar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
