commencer
/kɔ.mɑ̃.se/
To start in French is commencer.
commencer is a common and general way to say 'to start' in French, used for beginning an action or bringing something into existence.
Which one should you use?
While commencer is used for beginning an action or a process, the verb démarrer is more commonly used when referring to starting a machine, an engine or a computer program. If you want to convey starting something with enthusiasm or determination, you might use se lancer. To express the sense of initiating something, you can use entamer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present indicative form of commencer is commence. The past participle is commencé, and the present participle is commençant.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of commencer is /kɔ.mɑ̃.se/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using commencer followed by another verb, remember that it requires the preposition à (for example, commencer à manger).
Did you know?
- While commencer is the general word for 'to start', French speakers use entamer when the start involves physically breaking a seal or cutting into something, like a cake or a loaf of bread.
- In French, the word début is a noun for 'the start', but the verb débuter is frequently used as a technical term for a performer's very first professional appearance on stage.
- The verb démarrer is the standard word for starting an engine, but in modern informal speech, it is used as slang to tell someone to 'get a move on' or hurry up.
Examples in context
- Par où commencer ?Where to start?This sentence uses commencer to ask where to begin.Tatoeba #8732228 by Julien_PDC, translation #9741167 by traeton
- Il est temps de commencer.It's time to start.This sentence uses commencer to state it is time to start.Tatoeba #11669606 by Aiji, translation #5102522 by CK
- Le spectacle va commencer.The show is about to start.This sentence uses commencer to say a show is about to start.Tatoeba #12785148 by lbdx, translation #5081069 by CK
- Je vais commencer mes études à l'université.I am going to start my studies at the university.
- La réunion commencera à dix heures précises.The meeting will start at ten o'clock sharp.
- Le moteur de la machine doit être démarré doucement.The machine's engine must be started slowly.
- Nous allons entamer les négociations.We are going to start the negotiations.
- Il faut entamer cette tâche le plus tôt possible.We need to start this task as soon as possible.
- Je vais me mettre à étudier les maths.I am going to start studying math.
- J'ai décidé de me mettre à faire du yoga.I have decided to start doing yoga.
- Elle s'est lancée dans la création d'une nouvelle entreprise.She has embarked on starting a new company.
- Il faut se lancer et essayer quelque chose de nouveau.You need to go for it and try something new.
- J'ai décidé de débuter un régime alimentaire sain.I have decided to start a healthy diet.
- Le concert va débuter à 20h.The concert will start at 8 p.m.
- Les coureurs vont prendre le départ de la course.The runners will start the race.
- 108 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are in a cafe preparing to study.
- HugoLéa, tu es prête à travailler ?Léa, are you ready to work?
- LéaOui, on peut commencer.Yes, we can start.
- HugoSuper, je commence par la page un.Great, I will start with page one.
- LéaD'accord, je vais faire de même.Okay, I will do the same.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry commencer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
