inicio
/ee-NEE-seeoh/
start
As a noun, 'inicio' means 'start' or 'beginning' of an event or period.
inicio(noun)
start
?the beginning of an event or period
,beginning
?the first part
outset
?formal start
,launch
?of a project or mission
📝 In Action
El inicio de la película fue muy emocionante.
A1The start of the movie was very exciting.
Necesitas hacer clic en el botón de inicio.
A2You need to click on the Start button (or Home button).
Desde el inicio del proyecto, tuvimos problemas.
B1From the beginning of the project, we had problems.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
'Inicio' is always a masculine noun, so you use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el inicio' (the start).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'la' instead of 'el'
Mistake: "La inicio de la reunión."
Correction: El inicio de la reunión. Remember, it’s a masculine word.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
'Inicio' is slightly more formal or technical than 'comienzo,' but both are used interchangeably for 'beginning'.
As a verb conjugation, 'inicio' means 'I start' or 'I begin' an action.
inicio(verb)
I start
?first person singular present tense
,I begin
?first person singular present tense
I initiate
?formal action
,I launch
?a project or campaign
📝 In Action
Yo inicio la sesión tan pronto como tengo la contraseña.
B1I start the session as soon as I have the password.
Normalmente inicio mi mañana con ejercicios.
A2I normally start my morning with exercise.
¿Qué hago? ¿Inicio el proceso ahora?
B2What should I do? Should I initiate the process now?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'I' Form
The word 'inicio' is only the 'I' (yo) form in the present tense. To talk about 'you start' or 'we start,' you must use the other forms of the verb 'iniciar'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Misplacing the accent in the Preterite
Mistake: "Yo inicié vs. Él inicia."
Correction: The accent is crucial in the past tense 'yo' form: 'Yo inicié' (I started). Without it, it looks like the present tense.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use 'iniciar'
'Iniciar' is often used for more formal or official beginnings, like starting a meeting, a process, or a computer session. For simple actions, 'empezar' or 'comenzar' are often preferred.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: inicio
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'inicio' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
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').