Inklingo

How to Say "to start" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to start” is “comenzar” — use this general verb for starting almost any action, activity, or event, especially in formal contexts..

comenzar🔊A1

Use this general verb for starting almost any action, activity, or event, especially in formal contexts.

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empezar🔊A1

This is a very common and versatile verb for starting general actions, events, or processes, often interchangeable with 'comenzar'.

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iniciar🔊A1

Use this verb to formally start an activity, process, or meeting, often implying a planned beginning.

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arrancar🔊A2

This verb is specifically used for starting engines, machines, or vehicles, or figuratively, to set something in motion forcefully.

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abrir🔊B1

Use this verb when you mean to open a physical place like a store, or to begin an event or a new path.

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entrar🔊A2

This verb is used specifically when starting a new phase in life, such as beginning university or a new job.

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ponernos🔊B1

Use this reflexive form with 'a' followed by an infinitive to indicate the beginning of a collective action or task.

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ponerme🔊B2

Use this reflexive form with 'a' followed by an infinitive to indicate the beginning of a personal action or task.

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montar🔊B2

This verb is specifically used for starting or setting up a business or company.

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English → Spanish

comenzar

koh-men-SAR/ko.menˈsaɾ/

verbA1general
Use this general verb for starting almost any action, activity, or event, especially in formal contexts.
A small figure steps over a bright green starting line on a dirt track, beginning a race or journey, symbolizing the start of a general action.

Examples

Comenzamos el proyecto la próxima semana.

We start the project next week.

Comienzo mi dieta el lunes.

I start my diet on Monday.

¿A qué hora comienza la película?

What time does the movie start?

Ellos comenzaron a estudiar después de la cena.

They began to study after dinner.

The E > IE Stem Change

In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of 'comenzar' changes to 'ie' (comienzo, comienzas) except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms, which remain comenzamos.

Starting an Action

When you use 'comenzar' to say you are starting another action, you must connect the two verbs using the little word 'a': 'Comenzar a + verb' (e.g., Comienzo a correr).

Forgetting the 'A' Connector

Mistake: “Comienzo estudiar ahora.”

Correction: Comienzo **a** estudiar ahora. (Always use 'a' before the next verb.)

Past Tense Spelling Trick

Mistake: “Yo comenzé (pronounced 'ko-men-SEH').”

Correction: Yo com**e**ncé. (The 'z' changes to a 'c' in the 'yo' form of the past tense to keep the sound correct.)

empezar

/em-peh-SAR//em.peˈsaɾ/

verbA1general
This is a very common and versatile verb for starting general actions, events, or processes, often interchangeable with 'comenzar'.
A cartoon runner breaking a starting line tape at the beginning of a race track, symbolizing the start of an event.

Examples

La película empieza a las ocho.

The movie starts at eight.

La clase empieza a las nueve.

The class starts at nine.

¿A qué hora empieza la película?

What time does the movie start?

Empecé un nuevo trabajo la semana pasada.

I started a new job last week.

The 'e' to 'ie' Change

In the present tense, the 'e' in 'empezar' changes to 'ie' for most forms (yo, tú, él, ellos). Notice how 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' keep the original 'e'. Think of it as a 'boot verb' because the forms that change make a boot shape in the conjugation chart!

The 'z' to 'c' Spelling Rule

To keep the right sound, the letter 'z' changes to 'c' before an 'e'. You'll see this in the 'yo' form of the preterite past tense ('empecé') and all forms of the present subjunctive ('empiece', 'empieces', etc.).

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Yo *empezo* la tarea.”

Correction: Yo *empiezo* la tarea. Don't forget that the 'e' changes to 'ie' in the present tense for most forms.

iniciar

ee-nee-SYAR/i.niˈsjar/

verbA1general
Use this verb to formally start an activity, process, or meeting, often implying a planned beginning.
A runner in colorful attire poised at a starting line on a bright track, ready to spring forward, symbolizing the beginning of a race.

Examples

Vamos a iniciar la discusión después del café.

We are going to start the discussion after coffee.

Necesitamos iniciar la reunión a las diez en punto.

We need to start the meeting exactly at ten o'clock.

El presidente inició una nueva investigación sobre el caso.

The president began a new investigation into the case.

Transitive Use

When you use 'iniciar' in this way, it always needs to 'start' something directly. For example, 'iniciar el coche' (start the car).

Confusing Start/Begin

Mistake: “La clase inicia a las tres.”

Correction: La clase empieza a las tres. ('Empezar' or 'comenzar' are usually better when the subject starts by itself, like a class or a movie.)

arrancar

/ah-rrahn-KAHR//araŋˈkar/

verbA2general
This verb is specifically used for starting engines, machines, or vehicles, or figuratively, to set something in motion forcefully.
A vintage blue car emitting a small puff of smoke from its exhaust pipe as it begins to move.

Examples

Mi coche viejo tarda en arrancar con el frío.

My old car takes a while to start in the cold.

El coche no quiere arrancar en las mañanas frías.

The car doesn't want to start on cold mornings.

Espera un momento, el ordenador está arrancando.

Wait a moment, the computer is booting up.

Spelling Change Alert

In the 'I' form of the past tense (Preterite), the 'c' changes to 'qu' (arranqué). This ensures the word still has a hard 'k' sound.

Avoid 'arrancé'

Mistake: “Escribí 'arrancé' ayer.”

Correction: Escribí 'arranqué' ayer. We use 'qu' to keep the hard 'c' sound before the letter 'e'.

abrir

ah-BREER/aˈβɾiɾ/

verbB1general
Use this verb when you mean to open a physical place like a store, or to begin an event or a new path.
A clear dirt path begins at the edge of a meadow and leads into a bright, untouched forest.

Examples

El restaurante abre a mediodía.

The restaurant starts/opens at noon.

Van a abrir una nueva tienda de café en mi barrio.

They are going to open a new coffee shop in my neighborhood.

El presidente abrió el debate con una declaración.

The president opened (started) the debate with a declaration.

entrar

/en-TRAR//enˈtɾaɾ/

verbA2general
This verb is used specifically when starting a new phase in life, such as beginning university or a new job.
A student walking toward a university building, symbolizing the start of their education.

Examples

Ella entra en su nuevo trabajo la semana que viene.

She starts her new job next week.

Mi hijo entra en la universidad el próximo año.

My son starts university next year.

Entré a trabajar aquí hace dos meses.

I started working here two months ago.

El equipo entró en la competición con mucha energía.

The team entered the competition with a lot of energy.

ponernos

poh-NEHR-nohs/poˈneɾnos/

verbB1general
Use this reflexive form with 'a' followed by an infinitive to indicate the beginning of a collective action or task.
Two cartoonish runners poised at a starting line marked on the ground, leaning forward, ready to begin running.

Examples

Nos ponemos a limpiar la casa ahora.

We start cleaning the house now.

Después del descanso, necesitamos ponernos a trabajar de inmediato.

After the break, we need to start working immediately.

Si queremos terminar, tenemos que ponernos a escribir ahora mismo.

If we want to finish, we have to start writing right now.

Starting an Action

To mean 'to start doing something,' you must follow 'ponernos' with the preposition 'a' and then the action verb (infinitive): ponernos a + [action].

Missing the 'a'

Mistake: “Vamos a ponernos estudiar.”

Correction: Vamos a ponernos A estudiar. (The 'a' is required to link 'ponerse' to the following action.)

ponerme

/po-NER-me//poˈneɾme/

verbB2general
Use this reflexive form with 'a' followed by an infinitive to indicate the beginning of a personal action or task.
A runner bursting forward from the starting blocks on a track, showing motion and the immediate beginning of a task.

Examples

Tengo que ponerme a leer este libro.

I have to start reading this book.

Tengo que ponerme a estudiar para el examen final.

I have to start studying for the final exam.

Después de comer, me voy a ponerme a limpiar la cocina.

After eating, I'm going to start cleaning the kitchen.

The Essential 'A'

When 'ponerme' means 'to start doing something,' you MUST follow it with the small word 'a' and then the activity's verb (infinitive): 'ponerme a + infinitive'.

Forgetting the Preposition

Mistake: “Voy a ponerme leer el libro.”

Correction: Voy a ponerme a leer el libro. (The 'a' is required for the meaning 'to start.')

montar

/mon-TAR//monˈtaɾ/

verbB2general
This verb is specifically used for starting or setting up a business or company.
Two cartoon figures arranging colorful artwork onto pedestals in an empty room, setting up an art exhibition.

Examples

Quieren montar una pequeña cafetería.

They want to start/set up a small cafe.

Quiere montar un negocio de comida orgánica.

He wants to set up/start an organic food business.

El director está montando la próxima obra de teatro.

The director is staging the next play.

Montaron una fiesta sorpresa para su cumpleaños.

They organized a surprise party for his birthday.

General vs. Specific Starters

The most common mistake is using a general verb like 'empezar' or 'comenzar' when a more specific verb is required. For example, you don't 'comenzar' an engine; you 'arrancar' it. Similarly, starting a business uses 'montar' or 'abrir', not usually 'empezar'.

Related Translations

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