How to Say "started" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “started” is “empezado” — use this when 'started' functions as a past participle in a compound tense (like present perfect) or as an adjective describing something that is in progress or not yet finished..
empezado
em-peh-SAH-doh/empeˈθa.ðo/
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.
Solo tenemos un proyecto empezado.
We only have one started (or half-finished) project.
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.
Agreement with Noun
When 'empezado' acts as an adjective (describing a thing), it must match the gender and number of the thing it describes: 'la tarea empezada' (f. sing.), 'los libros empezados' (m. plural).
Using Ser vs. Estar
When describing the state of something as 'started' (a temporary condition), use 'estar': 'La construcción está empezada' (The construction is started).
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-doh/ko.menˈsa.ðo/
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.
El proyecto comenzado requiere mucha atención.
The started project requires a lot of attention.
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!
Agreement is Key
When 'comenzado' acts as an adjective, it must match the noun it describes. For a feminine noun like 'la fiesta', you must say 'la fiesta comenzada'.
Use with Ser/Estar
It often follows 'estar' to describe the resulting state ('The meeting is started/underway'), or 'ser' if you are describing a permanent characteristic or using the passive voice.
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.)
empezó
em-peh-SOH/em.peˈθo/
Examples
La película empezó hace cinco minutos.
The movie started five minutes ago.
Cuando ella gritó, el bebé empezó a llorar.
When she yelled, the baby started to cry.
Usted empezó el proyecto sin esperar la aprobación.
You (formal) started the project without waiting for approval.
Starting an Action
To say that someone or something started doing something, use the pattern: [empezó] + 'a' + [second verb in its base form]. Example: 'Empezó a correr' (He started to run).
Completed Action
This form ('empezó') tells you the starting action was a single, completed moment in the past. If you wanted to describe a state of beginning or a habitual starting time, you would use 'empezaba' (the imperfect tense).
Missing the 'a' after starting
Mistake: “El niño empezó correr.”
Correction: El niño empezó a correr. Remember that 'empezar' usually needs the small word 'a' before the next action.
Confusing Tenses
Mistake: “Cuando sonó el timbre, la clase empezaba.”
Correction: Cuando sonó el timbre, la clase empezó. Since the start of the class is a single, defined event in the past, use the preterite tense, 'empezó'.
abrió
ah-bree-OH/aˈβɾjo/
Examples
La empresa abrió una nueva sucursal en Madrid.
The company opened a new branch in Madrid.
El alcalde abrió la sesión con un discurso.
The mayor opened the session with a speech.
Subject flexibility
In this context, the subject ('él/ella/usted') is often an institution, company, or organization, not just a person.
entró
en-TROH/enˈtɾo/
Examples
Ella entró en pánico cuando vio la araña.
She entered into a panic when she saw the spider.
El nuevo jefe entró a trabajar el lunes pasado.
The new boss started working last Monday.
La ley entró en vigor inmediatamente después de la votación.
The law went into effect immediately after the vote.
Figurative Prepositions
For states and processes, 'entró en' is often used, mimicking English phrases like 'entered into a contract' or 'fell into a state of panic'.
abierto
ah-BYEHR-toh/aˈbjeɾto/
Examples
Nunca hemos abierto esa caja.
We have never opened that box.
Ellos habían abierto el regalo antes de la fiesta.
They had opened the gift before the party.
Una vez que hayas abierto la botella, guárdala en la nevera.
Once you have opened the bottle, keep it in the fridge.
The Irregular Past Participle
'Abierto' is the special form of the verb 'abrir' (to open) used to build two-part tenses with the helper verb 'haber' (to have). It does not follow the standard -ado ending.
Used Only with 'Haber'
Unlike the adjectival forms, when 'abierto' is functioning to form a perfect tense, it ONLY pairs with the verb 'haber' (e.g., He abierto = I have opened). It never agrees with the noun when used this way.
Using the Regular Participle
Mistake: “Hemos *abridó* el regalo.”
Correction: Hemos abierto el regalo. ('Abridó' does not exist; 'abierto' is the required irregular form.)
Past Participles vs. Simple Past
Related Translations
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