Inklingo

How to Say "we start" in Spanish

English → Spanish

empezamos

em-peh-SAH-mos/em.peˈsa.mos/

Verb (Conjugated Form)A1General
Use 'empezamos' for initiating an action or a process, especially when emphasizing the beginning of something immediate or a group's collective action.
A simple storybook illustration showing three stylized figures standing shoulder-to-shoulder just behind a bright yellow starting line marked on a grassy field, indicating that they are about to begin an activity.

Examples

Si todos están listos, empezamos ahora mismo.

If everyone is ready, we are starting right now.

Empezamos a estudiar español hace tres meses.

We started studying Spanish three months ago.

Cada mañana, empezamos el día con un café.

Every morning, we begin the day with a coffee.

Two Tenses, One Word

The form 'empezamos' is special because it means both 'we start' (Present Tense) and 'we started' (Past Simple Tense). You need context to know which one is correct!

The Stem Change Rule

The base verb 'empezar' is a stem-changer (E changes to IE), but 'nosotros' (we) and 'vosotros' (you all, informal) are exceptions and keep the original 'e' sound.

Confusing 'empezamos' and 'empecemos'

Mistake: “Using 'Empezamos a estudiar' when suggesting 'Let's start studying.'”

Correction: For suggestions ('Let's...'), you must use the special form 'empecemos' (Subjunctive/Imperative), not 'empezamos'.

comenzamos

/koh-men-THAH-mohs//ko.menˈθa.mos/

Verb (Conjugated Form)A1General
Use 'comenzamos' when referring to the start of an event, a scheduled activity, or as a slightly more formal way to begin something.
Three cheerful characters, side-by-side, stepping over a white starting line onto a bright green path, symbolizing the beginning of a journey.

Examples

¡La película es a las ocho! ¿Comenzamos a caminar?

The movie is at eight! Shall we start walking?

Cada mañana, comenzamos el día con un café fuerte.

Every morning, we start the day with a strong coffee.

Ahora que todos están aquí, comenzamos la presentación.

Now that everyone is here, we are starting the presentation.

It's the 'We' Form

'Comenzamos' is the action done by 'nosotros' (we). It means 'we start' or 'we begin' right now or as a habit.

No Vowel Change Here

Even though the base verb 'comenzar' usually changes 'e' to 'ie' (like 'yo comienzo'), the 'nosotros' (we) form is regular and keeps the original 'e': 'comenzamos'.

Mixing up 'We Start' tenses

Mistake: “Using 'comenzamos' when talking about the future, e.g., 'Mañana comenzamos la dieta.'”

Correction: 'Comenzamos' is perfectly fine to use for near future plans in Spanish, even though it's technically the present tense. It works just like English: 'Tomorrow, we start the diet.'

Choosing Between 'Empezamos' and 'Comenzamos'

Many learners use 'empezamos' and 'comenzamos' interchangeably, which is often fine. However, 'empezamos' tends to feel more natural for initiating immediate actions or habits, while 'comenzamos' can sound more appropriate for scheduled events or a slightly more formal start.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.