reiniciar
/reiniˈθjaɾ/
To restart in Spanish is reiniciar.
reiniciar is primarily used in a computing context to mean restarting a device (hardware) or a process or system (software).
Meaning: To start again (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the prefix re- (again) and iniciar (to initiate or start).
Which one should you use?
While reiniciar is used for technical processes, the phrase volver a empezar is a more common way to express the idea of starting again in a general or metaphorical sense, such as starting a new life.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
For the first person singular, the present tense is reinicio and the preterite (past tense) is reinicié. Other present tense forms include reinicias (tú), reinicia (él/ella), reiniciamos (nosotros/nosotras), reiniciáis (vosotros/vosotras) and reinician (ellos/ellas). The noun form of the act of restarting is reinicio.
How do you pronounce it?
/reiniˈθjaɾ/
Did you know?
- While reiniciar is used for technology, Spanish speakers use volver a empezar for life changes. To say 'restart' in a romantic or emotional context using reiniciar would sound as if you are treating a human like a computer.
- In Spanish, the prefix re- can sometimes act as an intensifier rather than just meaning 'again'. Although reiniciar strictly means to start over, other re- words can simply mean 'very' or 'completely' in certain dialects.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use the anglicism resetear instead of reiniciar when talking about electronics. This comes from the English word 'reset' and is widely used in gaming and IT circles.
Examples in context
- Su computador se reiniciará varias veces durante la instalación.Your computer will restart several times during installation.This sentence is useful for describing how a computer will behave during a software installation when using reiniciar.Tatoeba #1191904 by marcelostockle, translation #895426 by CK
- Reinicie la computadora para aplicar los cambios.Restart the computer to apply the changes.
- Necesitamos volver a empezar con un nuevo enfoque.We need to restart with a new approach.
- Reinicia el juego porque quiero intentarlo de nuevo.Restart the game because I want to try again.
- Olvidé lo que íbamos a hacer, vamos a empezar de nuevo.I forgot what we were going to do, let's start over.
- Vamos a reanudar la reunión después del receso.We will restart the meeting after the break.
- Necesito reiniciar el router para tener internet.I need to restart the router to have internet.
- ¿Debo reiniciar el teléfono ahora?Should I restart the phone now?
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are troubleshooting a laptop at home.
- MaríaEl sistema no responde bien.The system is not responding well.
- AlejandroPrueba a reiniciar la computadora.Try to restart the computer.
- María¿Crees que eso funcionará?Do you think that will work?
- AlejandroSí, suele ser la solución.Yes, it is usually the solution.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “restart” translations and entries reiniciar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
