Inklingo

How to Say "beginning" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “beginning” is “inicio” — use 'inicio' for the first part or the start of something like a movie, a book, or an event, emphasizing its initial segment.

inicio🔊A1

Use 'inicio' for the first part or the start of something like a movie, a book, or an event, emphasizing its initial segment.

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comienzo🔊A1

Use 'comienzo' for the initial stage or the start of a period, season, or a new phase.

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empezando🔊A1

Use 'empezando' to describe the ongoing action of starting an activity or task.

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comenzando🔊A1

Use 'comenzando' similarly to 'empezando' to indicate an action that is currently in progress, often for more formal or significant undertakings.

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principio🔊A2

Use 'principio' to refer to the starting point of something in time or space, often used with prepositions like 'al' (at the beginning).

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origen🔊A2

Use 'origen' to denote the source or the starting point of an event, a story, or a problem, focusing on its root cause.

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alfa🔊A2

Use 'alfa' very specifically to mean the absolute first letter or symbol, or metaphorically, the very first thing in a sequence.

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entrando🔊B1

Use 'entrando' when describing the process of entering or transitioning into a new period, phase, or condition.

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embrión🔊C1

Use 'embrión' metaphorically for the very early stage or germinal phase of a project, idea, or plan.

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English → Spanish

inicio

ee-NEE-seeohiˈnisjo

nounA1general
Use 'inicio' for the first part or the start of something like a movie, a book, or an event, emphasizing its initial segment.
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.

Examples

El inicio de la película fue muy emocionante.

The start of the movie was very exciting.

Necesitas hacer clic en el botón de inicio.

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

Desde el inicio del proyecto, tuvimos problemas.

From the beginning of the project, we had problems.

Masculine Noun

'Inicio' is always a masculine noun, so you use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el inicio' (the start).

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “La inicio de la reunión.”

Correction: El inicio de la reunión. Remember, it’s a masculine word.

comienzo

koh-MYEN-sohkoˈmjenso

nounA1general
Use 'comienzo' for the initial stage or the start of a period, season, or a new phase.
A close-up view of a tiny green seedling with two small leaves pushing up through a patch of rich brown soil, illustrating the start of life.

Examples

El comienzo de la primavera es mi época favorita.

The start of spring is my favorite time of year.

Necesitas un buen comienzo para tener éxito en este curso.

You need a good start to succeed in this course.

Daremos comienzo a la reunión tan pronto como llegue el director.

We will begin the meeting as soon as the director arrives. (Literally: We will give beginning to...)

Always Masculine

Since 'comienzo' is a masculine noun, you must use the masculine articles 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el comienzo' (the beginning).

Preposition 'De'

To link 'comienzo' to what is starting, use the preposition 'de' (of): 'el comienzo del mes' (the beginning of the month).

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'yo comienzo' (I begin) when you mean the noun 'el comienzo' (the start).”

Correction: 'Comienzo' can be the noun OR the verb form. Ensure you include 'el' or 'un' if you mean the thing itself: 'El comienzo fue difícil.' (The start was difficult.)

empezando

em-peh-SAHN-dohempeˈθando

verb (gerund)A1general
Use 'empezando' to describe the ongoing action of starting an activity or task.
A close-up view of a paintbrush touching a white canvas, applying a single line of bright blue paint, symbolizing the beginning of a task.

Examples

Estamos empezando a entender la gramática.

We are starting to understand the grammar.

Empezando por ti, todos deben participar.

Starting with you, everyone must participate.

¿Qué estás haciendo? — Estoy empezando la cena.

What are you doing? — I am starting dinner.

The Continuous Action

Use 'empezando' after a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action that is happening right now, like 'Estoy empezando' (I am starting).

The Stem Change

Remember that the base verb 'empezar' changes its vowel from 'e' to 'ie' in most present tense forms (e.g., 'yo empiezo'), but the gerund 'empezando' does not change its stem.

Mistaking the Base Verb

Mistake: “Using 'yo empezando' instead of 'yo estoy empezando'.”

Correction: The gerund 'empezando' cannot stand alone as the main verb; it must be paired with 'estar' or another helper verb to show an ongoing action.

comenzando

koh-men-SAHN-dohkomenˈsando

verb (gerund)A1general
Use 'comenzando' similarly to 'empezando' to indicate an action that is currently in progress, often for more formal or significant undertakings.
A close-up view of dark soil with a small brown seed beginning to sprout, showing a bright green shoot pushing upward, symbolizing the start of a continuous process.

Examples

Estamos comenzando el proyecto ahora mismo.

We are starting the project right now.

Ella estuvo comenzando a sentirse mejor después de la medicina.

She was beginning to feel better after the medicine.

Comenzando por el principio, ¿qué pasó anoche?

Starting from the beginning, what happened last night?

The Continuous Action

You use 'comenzando' with a form of the verb 'estar' (like 'estoy', 'estás', 'está') to show an action is happening right now or was happening in the past. Example: 'Estamos comenzando' (We are starting).

Adverbial Use

Sometimes 'comenzando' acts like an adverb, explaining how or when something happens, often at the start of a sentence. Example: 'Comenzando el lunes, haré ejercicio' (Starting on Monday, I will exercise).

Confusing Gerund and Infinitive

Mistake: “Quiero comenzando el libro.”

Correction: Quiero comenzar el libro. (I want to start the book). Remember that 'comenzando' is only used for continuous actions or as an adverb.

principio

prin-SEE-pee-ohpɾinˈθi.pjo

nounA2general
Use 'principio' to refer to the starting point of something in time or space, often used with prepositions like 'al' (at the beginning).
A small, friendly rabbit taking its very first step across a clear starting line on a long, winding green path, symbolizing the beginning of a journey.

Examples

Al principio de la película, el héroe es un niño.

At the beginning of the movie, the hero is a child.

Desde el principio supe que era una mala idea.

From the start I knew it was a bad idea.

Tenemos que volver al principio para encontrar el error.

We have to go back to the beginning to find the mistake.

Confusing with 'Principiante'

Mistake: “Al principiante de la clase, estaba nervioso.”

Correction: Al principio de la clase, estaba nervioso. 'Principio' is the start of something, while 'principiante' is a person who is a beginner.

origen

oh-REE-henoˈɾi.xen

nounA2general
Use 'origen' to denote the source or the starting point of an event, a story, or a problem, focusing on its root cause.
A close-up view of a small brown seed partially buried in dark soil, with a bright green shoot just beginning to emerge from the top of the seed.

Examples

Necesito saber el origen de este problema.

I need to know the source of this problem.

Mi país de origen es México, pero vivo en Canadá.

My country of origin is Mexico, but I live in Canada.

El origen de la palabra 'chocolate' es náhuatl.

The origin of the word 'chocolate' is Nahuatl.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'origen' ends in '-en', it is always a masculine noun. You must use 'el origen' (the origin), never 'la origen'.

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “El problema es *de* origen.”

Correction: El problema *tiene* origen *en*... (The problem originates in...). When linking the source, use 'en' or 'de' for description: 'algo de origen desconocido'.

alfa

AHL-fahˈalfa

nounA2general
Use 'alfa' very specifically to mean the absolute first letter or symbol, or metaphorically, the very first thing in a sequence.
A brightly colored flag planted in the dirt, indicating the clear starting point of a winding path stretching into the distance.

Examples

Alfa es la primera letra y omega es la última.

Alpha is the first letter and omega is the last.

Necesitas saber la historia desde el alfa hasta el omega.

You need to know the story from beginning to end.

Masculine Nouns Ending in -A

Even though 'alfa' ends in -a, it is a masculine noun because it comes directly from Greek. Remember to use the masculine article 'el' (el alfa) and not 'la'.

Incorrect Gender

Mistake: “La alfa es la primera letra.”

Correction: El alfa es la primera letra. (Use 'el' because 'alfa' is masculine.)

entrando

en-TRAN-dohenˈtɾan.do

verb (gerund)B1general
Use 'entrando' when describing the process of entering or transitioning into a new period, phase, or condition.
A cheerful person in professional attire stands next to a pristine, organized wooden desk inside a bright office, symbolizing the beginning or starting of a new job.

Examples

Estamos entrando en una época de gran prosperidad económica.

We are entering a period of great economic prosperity.

El equipo lleva meses entrando en calor antes de la competencia.

The team has been warming up (literally: entering into heat) for months before the competition.

Ella está entrando al mundo de la política.

She is entering the world of politics.

Preposition 'En'

When 'entrando' is used figuratively to mean 'starting a phase,' it almost always requires the preposition 'en': 'entrando en una nueva etapa' (entering into a new stage).

embrión

em-bree-OHNemˈbɾjon

nounC1figurative
Use 'embrión' metaphorically for the very early stage or germinal phase of a project, idea, or plan.
A single small wooden building block placed on a clean surface as the foundation for a structure.

Examples

Este pequeño boceto fue el embrión de su obra maestra.

This small sketch was the beginning of his masterpiece.

La reunión de ayer fue el embrión de una gran alianza.

Yesterday's meeting was the seed of a great alliance.

El proyecto está todavía en estado de embrión.

The project is still in its early stages.

Using 'el' as the starting point

When using the figurative sense, we almost always use the masculine article 'el' because we are talking about 'the' specific origin of something.

Confusing with 'comienzo'

Mistake: “El embrión de la película empezó a las ocho.”

Correction: El comienzo de la película empezó a las ocho. Use 'embrión' for the *origin* or *concept* of the movie, not the time it starts.

Nouns vs. Verbs for 'Beginning'

Learners often confuse nouns like 'inicio', 'comienzo', 'principio', and 'origen' with verb forms like 'empezando' and 'comenzando'. Remember that 'inicio', 'comienzo', 'principio', and 'origen' name the start, while 'empezando' and 'comenzando' describe the action of starting.

Related Translations

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