Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| iniziare | /i.nitˈt͡sja.re/ |
| cominciare | /ko.minˈt͡ʃa.re/ |
Both iniziare and cominciare are verbs used to mean 'to begin'. If you need to refer to the beginning of an activity as a noun, you can use inizio, avvio or partenza. Specifically, avvio and partenza can also refer to the beginning point of a race. To express the concept of 'giving a start to' or 'initiating' something in a more formal manner, you can use the expression dare avvio a.
Which one should you use?
While iniziare and cominciare are largely interchangeable, iniziare is often perceived as slightly more formal or technical than cominciare. Regarding nouns, use partenza instead of inizio when you are specifically referring to the start of a journey or the departure of a vehicle.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When iniziare or cominciare is followed by another verb, they typically require the preposition a (e.g., 'iniziare a…'). The noun form for 'the beginning' is l'inizio.
How do you pronounce it?
The word iniziare is pronounced /i.nitˈtsja.re/. It has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- If you want to say you are 'starting' a conversation, Italians often use the verb attaccare, which literally means 'to attach' or 'to attack'.
- To signal the 'start' or 'kick-off' of a formal event, Italians use the idiomatic expression dare il via, which translates literally to 'give the way'.
- The verb iniziare was borrowed from the Latin initiāre, while cominciare evolved from the Vulgar Latin *cominitiāre.
Examples in context
- È ora di iniziare.It's time to start.This sentence is useful for practicing the form iniziare.Tatoeba #4515457 by Guybrush88, translation #5102522 by CK
- È ora di cominciare.It's about time to start.This sentence is useful for practicing the form cominciare.Tatoeba #833593 by Guybrush88, translation #31574 by CK
- È pronto a iniziare?Are you ready to start?Tatoeba #1426896 by Guybrush88, translation #266860 by CK
- Il concerto inizia alle otto.The concert starts at eight.
- La riunione comincia presto.The meeting starts early.
- Hanno dato avvio alla campagna di sensibilizzazione.They initiated the awareness campaign.
- Il treno parte alle nove.The train leaves at nine.
- Quando cominciamo a mangiare?When do we start eating?
- Partiamo domani per le vacanze!We're leaving tomorrow for vacation!
- Fammi iniziare!Let me start!
- Loro inizieranno la presentazione domani.They will start the presentation tomorrow.
- Mi scuso, posso cominciare la mia presentazione?Excuse me, may I start my presentation?
- Andiamo! Cominciamo!Let's go! Let's start!
- 320 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are at a movie theater about to watch a film.
- ChiaraIl film sta per iniziare.The movie is about to start.
- LorenzoSì, spegni il cellulare, Chiara.Yes, turn off your phone, Chiara.
- ChiaraHai ragione, Lorenzo.You are right, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoAndiamo, iniziamo a guardarlo.Come on, let's start watching it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “start” translations and entries iniziare, cominciare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cominciare, iniziare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
