principios
“principios” means “beginning” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
beginning, early days
Also: start
📝 In Action
Viajaremos a principios de agosto.
A2We will travel at the beginning of August.
A principios del siglo veinte, la tecnología era muy diferente.
B1At the start of the twentieth century, technology was very different.
Los principios de la enfermedad son difíciles de detectar.
C1The beginnings of the illness are hard to detect.
principles, values
Also: fundamentals, ethics
📝 In Action
Es un hombre de firmes principios.
B1He is a man of firm principles.
Su decisión va en contra de todos mis principios.
B2Their decision goes against all my values.
Debemos aprender los principios básicos de la programación.
B2We must learn the basic fundamentals of programming.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: principios
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'principios' to refer to a moral code?
📚 More Resources
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *principium*, meaning 'beginning,' 'foundation,' or 'source.' This explains why the Spanish word covers both the start of a time period and the foundational beliefs of a person or system.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'principios' plural when I mean 'the beginning'?
When referring to the start of a time period (like a month or year), Spanish almost always uses the plural form 'principios.' Think of it as 'the early days' rather than 'the single beginning.' For a single, specific starting point (like the start of a sentence), you would use the singular 'el principio'.
Are the two main meanings related?
Yes! Both meanings come from the idea of something being 'foundational' or 'first.' Time principles refer to the first part of a period, and moral principles refer to the foundational rules you live by.