comenzar
/koh-men-SAR/
to start
When we 'comenzar' (start) an activity, we begin a new journey.
comenzar(verb)
to start
?general action
,to begin
?general action
to set off
?when starting a trip or race
📝 In Action
Comienzo mi dieta el lunes.
A1I start my diet on Monday.
¿A qué hora comienza la película?
A1What time does the movie start?
Ellos comenzaron a estudiar después de la cena.
A2They began to study after dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
The E > IE Stem Change
In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of 'comenzar' changes to 'ie' (comienzo, comienzas) except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms, which remain comenzamos.
Starting an Action
When you use 'comenzar' to say you are starting another action, you must connect the two verbs using the little word 'a': 'Comenzar a + verb' (e.g., Comienzo a correr).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'A' Connector
Mistake: "Comienzo estudiar ahora."
Correction: Comienzo **a** estudiar ahora. (Always use 'a' before the next verb.)
Past Tense Spelling Trick
Mistake: "Yo comenzé (pronounced 'ko-men-SEH')."
Correction: Yo com**e**ncé. (The 'z' changes to a 'c' in the 'yo' form of the past tense to keep the sound correct.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Interchangeability with Empezar
For most everyday conversations, 'comenzar' and 'empezar' are interchangeable. 'Comenzar' is often slightly preferred in more formal settings or documents.
The word 'comenzar' can also mean 'to commence,' indicating a formal or official beginning.
comenzar(verb)
to commence
?formal/official start
,to initiate
?a process or investigation
to hail from
?when talking about origins/history
📝 In Action
La construcción comenzará en el verano.
B1The construction will commence in the summer.
Su nueva etapa profesional comenzó con un cambio de ciudad.
B2His new professional phase started with a change of city.
El debate tiene que comenzar con un resumen de las reglas.
B2The debate must begin with a summary of the rules.
💡 Grammar Points
Starting Impersonally
When talking about time or weather, the subject is often the event itself (e.g., 'La lluvia comienza'), making it easy to use the 'él/ella' form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Abstract Nouns
This meaning is frequently paired with abstract nouns like 'etapa' (phase), 'siglo' (century), or 'proceso' (process) to indicate their origin point.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: comenzar
Question 1 of 2
Choose the correct sentence to express: 'I want them to start the meeting now.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need to use 'a' after 'comenzar'?
You only need the 'a' if 'comenzar' is immediately followed by another verb (an action). For example, 'Comienzo a leer' (I start reading). If it is followed by a noun, like 'Comienzo el trabajo', you don't need 'a'.
Is 'comenzar' a regular verb?
'Comenzar' is slightly irregular. It changes the vowel 'e' to 'ie' in four out of six forms in the present tense (I, you, he/she/it, they). It also has a minor spelling change (z to c) in the 'yo' form of the simple past tense (preterite).