How to Say "started" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “started” is “empezado” — use this form when 'started' is part of a compound verb tense, like the present perfect (haber + empezado).
empezado
em-peh-SAH-dohempeˈθa.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-dohko.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
Examples
La película empezó hace cinco minutos.
The movie started five minutes ago.
abrió
Examples
La empresa abrió una nueva sucursal en Madrid.
The company opened a new branch in Madrid.
iniciado
ee-nee-thyah-dohiniˈθjaðo
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.
comenzado
co-men-ZAH-dohko.menˈsa.ðo
Examples
El proyecto comenzado requiere mucha atención.
The started project requires a lot of attention.
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!
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.)
empezado
em-peh-SAH-dohempeˈθa.ðo
Examples
Solo tenemos un proyecto empezado.
We only have one started (or half-finished) project.
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.
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'.)
Examples
Ella entró en pánico cuando vio la araña.
She entered into a panic when she saw the spider.
abierto
ah-BYEHR-tohaˈbjeɾto
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.)
Empezar vs. Comenzar
Related Translations
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