empieza
/empjeθa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "it starts" is translated into Spanish as empieza.
If you want to say "it starts to [do something]", you must use the preposition a before the infinitive, such as empieza a llover for "it starts to rain".
Which one should you use?
While empieza is the most common way to say "it starts", the word comienza serves as a more formal synonym.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form empieza is the third-person singular. Use empiezan if the subject is plural (for example, "the movies start").
How do you pronounce it?
/empjeθa/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American dialects, people use the phrase ya empieza as a sarcastic reaction when someone starts repeating a predictable complaint or story.
- To say 'from the start' in Spanish, you use the noun principio in the phrase desde el principio, rather than a derivative of the verb empezar.
- If you want to say 'to start' in the sense of 'to launch' or 'to trigger' a process, Spanish often switches to the verb iniciar instead of empezar.
Examples in context
- Cuando alguien habla con tal floritura retórica, empieza a sonar como si estuvieran mintiendo.When someone speaks with such rhetorical flourish, it starts to sound like they're lying.This example shows how to use empieza when describing a sound.Tatoeba #4256362 by pipus_net, translation #41472 by CM
- «¿Por qué no están aquí?» «No lo sé. Vamos a ver una película pero empieza dentro de un momento.»"Why aren't they here?" "I don't know. We are going to see a film, but it starts very soon."This example uses empieza to describe the start time of a film.Tatoeba #10290523 by Seael, translation #10290251 by jimkillock
- La conferencia comienza a las 9 amThe conference starts at 9 am
- El espectáculo empieza a las 7 pmThe show starts at 7 pm
- La ceremonia dará inicio en breveThe ceremony will start shortly
- La película arranca a las 8 pmThe movie starts at 8 pm
- La fiesta comienza en una horaThe party starts in an hour
- La película empieza ahora.The movie starts now.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are waiting in a cinema lobby.
- Daniel¿A qué hora empieza la función?What time does the show start?
- ElenaEmpieza en cinco minutos.It starts in five minutes.
- DanielPerfecto, busquemos nuestros asientos.Perfect, let's find our seats.
- ElenaVamos, que ya empieza.Let's go, it's starting.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
