principio
“principio” means “beginning” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
beginning
Also: start
📝 In Action
Al principio de la película, el héroe es un niño.
A2At the beginning of the movie, the hero is a child.
Desde el principio supe que era una mala idea.
B1From the start I knew it was a bad idea.
Tenemos que volver al principio para encontrar el error.
B1We have to go back to the beginning to find the mistake.
principle
Also: rule, value
📝 In Action
Es una mujer de principios firmes.
B2She is a woman of firm principles.
No lo haré, va en contra de mis principios.
B1I won't do it, it goes against my principles.
El principio de la gravedad explica por qué las cosas caen.
B2The principle of gravity explains why things fall.
I begin
Also: I start
📝 In Action
Principio esta carta con mis más cordiales saludos.
C1I begin this letter with my warmest greetings.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "principio" in Spanish:
beginning→i begin→i start→principle→rule→start→value→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: principio
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'principio' to mean a moral rule or belief?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'principium', which meant 'beginning', 'origin', or 'foundation'. This original word itself came from 'princeps', meaning 'first' or 'chief'. You can see how this one root gave us two meanings: the 'beginning' of something and a 'foundational' rule or principle.
First recorded: Around the 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'principio', 'comienzo', and 'inicio'?
They all mean 'beginning' and are often interchangeable. 'Principio' and 'comienzo' are the most common in everyday speech. 'Inicio' can sometimes feel a bit more formal or technical, like the 'start' button on a computer ('inicio') or the start of a formal event. But for most situations, you can use any of them!
How do I know if 'principio' means 'beginning' or 'principle'?
Context is key! If it's talking about time or the order of things (like 'at the start of the book'), it means 'beginning'. If it's talking about ideas, morals, or rules (like 'my personal principles'), it means 'principle'. Also, 'principle' is often used in the plural ('principios'), while 'beginning' is usually singular.