How to Say "start!" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “start!” is “comienza” — use 'comienza' as an informal command (tú form) when telling someone to begin something, like a game or an activity..
comienza
/koh-mee-EHN-sah//koˈmjenθa/
Examples
¡El concierto comienza ahora!
The concert starts now!
El partido de fútbol comienza a las cinco de la tarde.
The soccer game starts at five in the afternoon.
Ella siempre comienza el día con un café fuerte.
She always starts the day with a strong coffee.
¡Comienza tu tarea antes de que sea demasiado tarde!
Start your homework before it's too late!
Stem Change: E to IE
This verb is special! The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms, like 'comienza,' but not in the 'we' (nosotros) or 'you all' (vosotros) forms.
Indicative vs. Imperative
'Comienza' can be two things: 'He/She/It starts' (stating a fact) or 'Start!' (giving an informal command to 'tú'). Context is key to telling them apart.
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: “La película comenza ahora.”
Correction: La película comienza ahora. Remember to change that 'e' to 'ie' to make it sound natural.
Spelling in the Past (Yo form)
Mistake: “Yo comenzé mi dieta el lunes.”
Correction: Yo comencé mi dieta el lunes. The 'z' must change to a 'c' before 'e' to keep the soft 's' sound.
arranca
ah-RRAHN-kah/aˈraŋka/
Examples
¡Arranca el coche, que se nos hace tarde!
Start the car, we're getting late!
¡Arranca, que vamos tarde!
Start (the car), we are late!
Arranca esa pegatina que está fea.
Pull off that sticker, it's ugly.
The 'Tú' Command
The friendly command form (tú imperative) for almost all '-ar' verbs is identical to the 'él/ella/usted' form in the present tense, which is why 'arranca' serves two purposes.
Using the wrong command form
Mistake: “Using 'arranque' when talking to a friend.”
Correction: Use 'arranca' for friends and family (tú). Reserve 'arranque' for formal situations (usted).
empiecen
/em-pyee-sen//emˈpjeθen/
Examples
Por favor, estudiantes, empiecen con el ejercicio uno.
Please, students, start with exercise one.
Espero que los estudiantes empiecen a estudiar pronto.
I hope that the students start studying soon.
¡Empiecen el examen ahora mismo!
Start the exam right now!
Les pido que no empiecen sin mí.
I ask that you all don't start without me.
Subjunctive Use (Wishes/Influence)
You use 'empiecen' when expressing wishes, desires, or influence over a group (they/you all). For example: 'Quiero que ellos empiecen' (I want them to start).
Stem Change Reminder
The verb 'empezar' changes its 'e' to 'ie' in most present tense forms, including 'empiecen'. This is why it is not 'empecen'.
Formal Commands
'Empiecen' is also the formal command form for 'you all' (ustedes). It tells a group of people what to do: '¡Empiecen a comer!' (Start eating!).
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: “Espero que ellos *empecen*.”
Correction: Espero que ellos *empiecen*. (Remember the 'e' changes to 'ie'.)
Using the Indicative in Subjunctive Contexts
Mistake: “Dudo que ellos *empiezan* a tiempo.”
Correction: Dudo que ellos *empiecen* a tiempo. (When expressing doubt, Spanish requires the special verb form, 'empiecen'.)
Engine vs. General Start
Related Translations
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