How to Say "Go About" in Spanish

emprender

/empɾenˈdeɾ/

The English phrase 'go about' can be translated into Spanish as emprender.

Meaning: to tackle (verb)

Which one should you use?

While emprender implies the beginning or the undertaking of a large-scale task, it is more formal than the colloquial ponerse con (to get on with).

The gerund form of emprender is emprendiendo, used to describe the continuous action of tackling a task.

/empɾenˈdeɾ/

The word emprender shares its roots with the English word 'comprehend', as both come from the Latin 'prehendere', meaning 'to seize or grasp'.
In some contexts, emprender can be used to describe the act of starting a journey, such as emprender el camino. This gives the word a sense of physical movement that 'tackling a task' lacks in English.
Because emprender carries a sense of gravity, using it for a very small task like 'going about' cleaning a room would sound unintentionally comedic or overly dramatic to a native speaker.

Debemos abordar esta situación con seriedad y cautela.
We must approach this situation with seriousness and caution.
Tenemos que afrontar este desafío con determinación.
We have to go about this challenge with determination.
¿Cómo lidiaste con el problema?
How did you go about dealing with the problem?
Debemos emprender un nuevo plan de estudios.
We must tackle a new study plan.
Ella decidió emprender la investigación por su cuenta.
She decided to tackle the investigation on her own.
Es difícil emprender una reforma tan grande.
It is difficult to tackle such a large reform.

Mateo and Lucía are discussing a new business idea.

Mateo

Tengo una idea genial para un negocio.
I have a great idea for a business.
Lucía

Me parece bien, ¿cómo vamos a emprenderlo?
Sounds good, how are we going to go about it?
Mateo

Primero debemos buscar un socio.
First we must look for a partner.
Lucía

De acuerdo, Mateo. Empecemos hoy mismo.
Agreed, Mateo. Let's start today.

Sources

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