Spanish word

iniciar

Pronunciation

IPA/iniˈθjaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbstart

Example

¿Cuándo iniciamos la reunión?

When do we start the meeting?

Illustration for iniciar (start)

More examples

Iniciamos el juego después de comer.

We start the game after eating.

Antes de iniciar sesión, comprueba tu usuario.

Before you sign in, check your username.

Core concept

A manager pressing a large start button to set a program in motion.

Common phrases

  • iniciar sesión

    sign in

  • iniciar un proyecto

    initiate a project

  • iniciar la reunión

    begin the meeting

Similar words

empezar: Start something in ordinary, everyday contexts; common in casual conversation.
comenzar: Start something using a formal or literary tone, typical of official language.
poner en marcha: Get a machine, system, or plan running by switching it on or initiating it.
arrancar: Start a car or engine, putting its motor into operation.

Definition in Spanish

Poner en marcha algo o dar inicio a una actividad, tanto por una persona como por una institución.

Word origin

From Latin initium 'beginning' via a Late Latin verb formation, Spanish iniciar developed to mean causing something to begin.

Usage tips

  • Iniciar is usually transitive (iniciar algo) when an agent causes a start, while iniciarse means the action begins by itself; common collocations are iniciar un proyecto and iniciar sesión.

Other meanings

  • undertakeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word