Inklingo
Dictionary

empiezas

em-pyeh-zasemˈpje.θas

“empiezas” means “you start” in Spanish (informal, singular).

you start, you beginAlso: you're starting

VerbA1irregular (stem-changing E→IE) ar
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.
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

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "empiezas" in Spanish:

you beginyou startyou're starting

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes
piezastropiezas
📚 Etymology

The verb 'empezar' comes from the older Spanish word 'pezar,' meaning 'to weigh' or 'to balance,' combined with the prefix 'en-' (in/into). Over time, the meaning shifted from 'putting something on the scale' to 'starting an action.'

First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: empesarFrench (related root): pièce

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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.