Spanish word

empezar

Pronunciation

IPA/empeˈθaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbstart

Example

Voy a empezar ahora.

I'm going to start now.

Illustration for empezar (start)

More examples

Cuando perdimos los datos, tuvimos que empezar desde cero.

When we lost the data, we had to start from scratch.

Core concept

A calendar page flipped to the first day circled for an event.

Common phrases

  • empezar a + infinitivo

    start to + infinitive

  • empezar por

    start by

  • empezar desde cero

    start from scratch

Similar words

comenzar: Start an activity at a prearranged time.
ponerse: Start an activity by getting oneself ready.

Definition in Spanish

Ponerse a hacer algo o dar comienzo a un evento, actividad o proceso en un momento concreto.

Word origin

The verb originates in Old Spanish empeza 'beginning', a nominal formation that became verbal, and contemporary conjugation keeps the e→ie stem change in most present forms.

Usage tips

  • Empezar commonly combines with a + infinitive to mean 'begin doing' something and with con + noun to mean 'begin with' something.

Other meanings

  • beginverb
  • commenceverb
  • set aboutverb

Opposites

Related words

  • reempezarrestartverb

Word lists with this word