comencé
“comencé” means “I started” in Spanish (action initiated in the past).
I started, I began
Also: I set out to
📝 In Action
Comencé a estudiar español hace tres meses.
A1I started studying Spanish three months ago.
Ayer, comencé mi nuevo proyecto de trabajo.
A2Yesterday, I began my new work project.
Cuando vi la lluvia, comencé a correr hacia mi casa.
B1When I saw the rain, I started running toward my house.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: comencé
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'comencé'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comenzar comes from the Vulgar Latin *cominitiare, meaning 'to initiate' or 'to start.' It shares roots with the English word 'commence,' highlighting its historical connection to the idea of a formal beginning.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'comencé' and 'comenzaba'?
'Comencé' (preterite) means 'I started'—a single action that finished. 'Comenzaba' (imperfect) means 'I used to start' or 'I was starting'—it describes a repeated or ongoing action in the past, or sets the scene for another action.
Can I use 'empecé' instead of 'comencé'?
Yes! 'Empecé' (from 'empezar') means exactly the same thing ('I started') and is often slightly more common in everyday conversation. Both verbs are interchangeable.