Verb · A2 · Spanish glossary
Comenzar: to begin, to start
comenzar
Pronunciation: koh-mehn-SAHR (stress the capital letters)
Comenzar means “to begin, to start” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to begin, to start
- How to say it: koh-mehn-SAHR
- Present: yo comienzo, tú comienzas
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “comenzar” means and how to use it
Comenzar means “to begin.” It is a slightly more formal synonym of empezar.
How to conjugate “comenzar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | comienzo | I |
| tú | comienzas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | comienza | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | comenzamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | comienzan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo comencé, él comenzó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | comenzado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- La clase comienza a las nueve.The class begins at nine.
- Comenzamos a trabajar temprano.We start working early.
- ¿Cuándo comienza el concierto?When does the concert start?
Usage tip
Comenzar and empezar are interchangeable. Use “comenzar a” plus an infinitive. The first person past is “comencé.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to begin, to start” in Spanish?
“to begin, to start” in Spanish is “comenzar.” It is pronounced koh-mehn-SAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “comenzar”?
Say koh-mehn-SAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “comenzar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “comencé” and “él” is “comenzó.” The past participle is “comenzado.”
Practice “comenzar” for free
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