Inklingo
A cartoon runner breaking a starting line tape at the beginning of a race track, symbolizing the start of an event.

empezar Present Conjugation

empezarto start

A1irregular -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

Empezar is a stem-changing verb where the 'e' becomes 'ie' in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

empezar Present Forms

yoempiezo
empiezas
él/ella/ustedempieza
nosotrosempezamos
vosotrosempezáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesempiezan

When to Use the Present

Use the present tense to talk about schedules, routines, or things that are starting right now.

Notes on empezar in the Present

This is an E-to-IE stem-changer (boot verb). The change happens in the 'yo', 'tú', 'él/ella', and 'ellos/ellas' forms.

Example Sentences

  • Siempre empiezo mi trabajo a las nueve.

    I always start my work at nine.

    yo

  • ¿A qué hora empieza el concierto?

    What time does the concert start?

    él/ella/usted

  • Ellos empiezan a estudiar ahora mismo.

    They are starting to study right now.

    ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Saying 'empezamos' with an 'ie' (empiezamos).

    Correct: empezamos

    Why: Stem changes never occur in the nosotros or vosotros forms in the present indicative.

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Related Tenses