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How to Say "begun" in Spanish

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empezado

em-peh-SAH-dohempeˈθa.ðo

Verb Form (Past Participle)A1General
Use this past participle form when 'begun' is part of a compound verb tense, indicating the start of an action or activity.
A small, determined figure standing right at the start of a clearly marked, winding path leading into a colorful landscape, having just taken the first step.

Examples

Ella ya ha empezado la tarea.

She has already started the homework.

Habíamos empezado a llover cuando llegaste.

It had started raining when you arrived.

Una vez que la película hubo empezado, la sala se oscureció.

Once the movie had begun, the room went dark.

Forming Perfect Tenses

You must always use 'empezado' (the past participle) with a form of the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions that have been completed, like 'he empezado' (I have started).

Invariable Form

When 'empezado' is used with 'haber' to form a tense, it is 'invariable'—it always stays 'empezado' and does not change based on the gender or number of the person doing the action.

Confusing 'Haber' and 'Tener'

Mistake: “Yo tengo empezado.”

Correction: Yo he empezado. (In Spanish, use 'haber' for compound verb tenses, not 'tener'.)

comenzado

co-men-ZAH-dohko.menˈsa.ðo

Verb Form (Past Participle)A1General
Use this past participle form in compound tenses, similar to 'empezado', to indicate the commencement of an action or event.
A colorful storybook illustration of a winding dirt path leading up a small green hill. A bright red flag is firmly planted at the exact beginning of the path, marking the starting point.

Examples

Ya hemos comenzado la clase de hoy.

We have already started today's class.

Ella había comenzado a leer el libro antes del viaje.

She had begun reading the book before the trip.

Si hubieras comenzado antes, terminarías a tiempo.

If you had started earlier, you would finish on time.

Forming Perfect Tenses

To use 'comenzado' to talk about completed actions, pair it with the verb 'haber' (he, has, ha, hemos, etc.). The participle 'comenzado' never changes its ending, regardless of who is doing the action.

The 'AR' Rule

Verbs that end in -AR (like 'comenzar') always form their past participle by changing -AR to -ADO. This is a very predictable pattern!

Using 'Estar' Instead of 'Haber'

Mistake: “Yo estoy comenzado el trabajo.”

Correction: Yo he comenzado el trabajo. (Remember: 'haber' is used for the action, 'estar' is used for location or temporary states.)

iniciado

ee-nee-thyah-dohiniˈθjaðo

AdjectiveB1Formal/General
Use this word, often as an adjective, when referring to something that has been formally started or set in motion, like a process or an official matter.
A small green sprout emerging from a mound of dark brown soil.

Examples

El trámite ya está iniciado.

The paperwork is already started.

Tenemos un proyecto iniciado en esa ciudad.

We have a project under way in that city.

Una vez iniciado el proceso, no se puede cancelar.

Once the process has begun, it cannot be canceled.

Matching the Noun

Since this word is acting like a description (adjective), the ending must change to match what you are talking about. Use 'iniciado' for masculine things (el proyecto) and 'iniciada' for feminine things (la sesión).

Using it with 'Estar'

When you want to say something 'is started,' use the verb 'estar' (to be) because you are describing the current state of that thing.

Machines vs. Tasks

Mistake: “El motor está iniciado.”

Correction: El motor está encendido/en marcha.

Empezado vs. Comenzado vs. Iniciado

The most common confusion is between 'empezado' and 'comenzado', which are largely interchangeable as past participles. 'Iniciado' is different; it's often used as an adjective for formal processes and should be chosen when that specific nuance is intended.

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