Empezar: to begin, to start
Pronunciation: ehm-peh-SAHR (stress the capital letters)
Empezar means “to begin, to start” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to begin, to start
- How to say it: ehm-peh-SAHR
- Present: yo empiezo, tú empiezas
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “empezar” means and how to use it
Empezar means “to begin” or “to start.” It is followed by “a” plus an infinitive when you start doing something.
How to conjugate “empezar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | empiezo | I |
| tú | empiezas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | empieza | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | empezamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | empiezan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo empecé, él empezó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | empezado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- La clase empieza a las ocho.The class starts at eight.
- Empiezo a trabajar mañana.I start working tomorrow.
- ¿Cuándo empezamos?When do we start?
Usage tip
Empezar and comenzar mean the same thing. Remember “a” before an infinitive: empiezo a leer. The first person past is “empecé.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to begin, to start” in Spanish?
“to begin, to start” in Spanish is “empezar.” It is pronounced ehm-peh-SAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “empezar”?
Say ehm-peh-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 “empezar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “empecé” and “él” is “empezó.” The past participle is “empezado.”
Practice “empezar” for free
Reading helps, but practice makes it stick. Try short exercises with instant feedback.