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A close-up illustration showing a single sneaker stepping across a bright white starting line onto a dusty, winding path, symbolizing the beginning of a journey or action.

empiezas

em-pyeh-zas

verbA1irregular (stem-changing E→IE) ar
you start?informal, singular,you begin?informal, singular
Also:you're starting?in the middle of the action

Quick Reference

infinitiveempezar
gerundempezando
past Participleempezado

📝 In Action

¿Cuándo empiezas tu nuevo trabajo?

A1

When do you start your new job?

Si empiezas a estudiar ahora, terminarás pronto.

A2

If you start studying now, you will finish soon.

Cada vez que empiezas un proyecto, lo terminas.

A2

Every time you start a project, you finish it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • comienzas (you start (from the verb 'comenzar'))
  • inicias (you initiate)

Antonyms

  • terminas (you finish)
  • acabas (you finish/end)

Common Collocations

  • empiezas a leer – you start reading
  • empiezas mañana – you start tomorrow

💡 Grammar Points

The E-to-IE Shoe Change

In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of 'empezar' changes to 'ie' (e.g., empiezas). This change happens everywhere except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros', making it a 'shoe' or 'boot' verb.

Starting an Action

To say 'you start doing something,' you must use the structure: empezar a + [infinitive]. Example: Empiezas a correr (You start to run).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: "Tú empEzas a trabajar."

Correction: Tú empIEzas a trabajar. Remember the 'ie' sound is needed when talking about 'tú' (you).

Missing the 'a' before an action

Mistake: "Empiezas estudiar."

Correction: Empiezas A estudiar. The preposition 'a' is necessary to link 'empezar' to the action you are starting.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'tú' vs. 'usted'

Use empiezas when talking informally to a friend, family member, or child. Use empieza (the 'usted' form) when speaking formally to someone you respect or don't know well.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

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

imperfect

él/ella/ustedempezaba
yoempezaba
túempezabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesempezaban
nosotrosempezábamos
vosotrosempezabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedempezó
yoempecé
túempezaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesempezaron
nosotrosempezamos
vosotrosempezasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedempiece
yoempiece
túempieces
ellos/ellas/ustedesempiecen
nosotrosempecemos
vosotrosempecéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedempezara
yoempezara
túempezaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesempezaran
nosotrosempezáramos
vosotrosempezarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: empiezas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'empiezas'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

empezar(to begin / to start) - verb
el principio(the beginning) - noun
el comienzo(the start) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'empezas' wrong?

'Empezar' is a 'boot verb,' meaning the 'e' in the stem changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms. You must remember the 'ie' sound: *empiezas*.

What is the difference between 'empezar' and 'comenzar'?

They mean the exact same thing ('to start' or 'to begin') and are interchangeable in most situations. 'Empezar' is slightly more common in everyday speech.