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How to Say "getting started" in Spanish

English → Spanish

empezando

em-peh-SAHN-doh/empeˈθando/

Verb (Gerund)A1informal action
Use 'empezando' when you are beginning an action or a process, especially when it involves starting to do something or starting to understand something.
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 aprender español.

We are starting to learn Spanish.

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-doh/komenˈsando/

Verb (Gerund)A1informal action
Use 'comenzando' when you are initiating something, like a project or an event, or when the focus is on the very first step of a larger undertaking.
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 nuevo curso hoy.

We are starting the new course today.

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.

Empezando vs. Comenzando

Learners often mix up 'empezando' and 'comenzando' because they are so similar. While both mean 'starting,' 'empezando' is slightly more common for the general act of beginning an action or process, while 'comenzando' can feel a bit more formal or focused on initiating something specific.

Related Translations

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