Inklingo

inicio

ee-NEE-seeohiˈnisjo

inicio means start in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

start, beginning

Also: outset, launch
NounmA1
A simple dirt path with a bright red ribbon stretched across it, snapped cleanly in the middle, signifying the start of a race or journey.

📝 In Action

El inicio de la película fue muy emocionante.

A1

The start of the movie was very exciting.

Necesitas hacer clic en el botón de inicio.

A2

You need to click on the Start button (or Home button).

Desde el inicio del proyecto, tuvimos problemas.

B1

From the beginning of the project, we had problems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • al inicio deat the start of
  • botón de inicioStart/Home button (computing)

I start, I begin

Also: I initiate, I launch
A simple, cheerful cartoon character with a backpack taking the very first step onto a bright, empty path that stretches into the distance.
infinitiveiniciar
gerundiniciando
past Participleiniciado

📝 In Action

Yo inicio la sesión tan pronto como tengo la contraseña.

B1

I start the session as soon as I have the password.

Normalmente inicio mi mañana con ejercicios.

A2

I normally start my morning with exercise.

¿Qué hago? ¿Inicio el proceso ahora?

B2

What should I do? Should I initiate the process now?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • iniciar una conversaciónto start a conversation
  • iniciar un trámiteto begin a procedure

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedinicia
yoinicio
inicias
ellos/ellas/ustedesinician
nosotrosiniciamos
vosotrosiniciáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustediniciaba
yoiniciaba
iniciabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesiniciaban
nosotrosiniciábamos
vosotrosiniciabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedinició
yoinicié
iniciaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesiniciaron
nosotrosiniciamos
vosotrosiniciasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedinicie
yoinicie
inicies
ellos/ellas/ustedesinicien
nosotrosiniciemos
vosotrosiniciéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustediniciara/iniciase
yoiniciara/iniciase
iniciaras/iniciases
ellos/ellas/ustedesiniciaran/iniciasen
nosotrosiniciáramos/iniciásemos
vosotrosiniciarais/iniciaseis

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: inicio

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'inicio' as a noun?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin word *initium*, meaning 'beginning' or 'entrance.' This word is related to the Latin verb *inire*, which meant 'to go into' or 'to enter.'

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

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: inizioFrench: initier

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'inicio' and 'comienzo'?

Both mean 'start' or 'beginning' and are often interchangeable. 'Inicio' can sometimes feel slightly more formal or be used more often in technical contexts (like computer menus), while 'comienzo' is very common in general conversation.

How do I know if 'inicio' is a noun or a verb in a sentence?

If it has 'el' or 'un' (the/a) before it, it's the noun ('el inicio'). If it stands alone or follows 'yo' (I), it's the verb form meaning 'I start' ('Yo inicio la búsqueda').