/empeˈθaɾ/ ES
/empeˈsaɾ/ MX
Translation
to start, to begin
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Word origin
From Vulgar Latin impedire reanalysed, but more reliably from em- plus pieza ('piece'), from Celtic-Latin pettia ('piece, portion'). The notion was 'to begin a piece', that is 'to begin'.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- em- + pettia
- English cognates
- piece
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular spanish-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | empiezo | empecé | empezaba | empezaré | empezaría |
| tú | empiezas | empezaste | empezabas | empezarás | empezarías |
| él/ella/ud. | empieza | empezó | empezaba | empezará | empezaría |
| nos. | empezamos | empezamos | empezábamos | empezaremos | empezaríamos |
| vos. | empezáis | empezasteis | empezabais | empezaréis | empezaríais |
| ellos/uds. | empiezan | empezaron | empezaban | empezarán | empezarían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | empiece | empezara | empezase |
| tú | empieces | empezaras | empezases |
| él/ella/ud. | empiece | empezara | empezase |
| nos. | empecemos | empezáramos | empezásemos |
| vos. | empecéis | empezarais | empezaseis |
| ellos/uds. | empiecen | empezaran | empezasen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | empieza |
| ud. | empiece |
| nosotros | empecemos |
| vosotros | empezad |
| uds. | empiecen |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- empezando
- Past participle
- empezado
Examples
, .
The class starts at nine sharp, do not be late.
.
We are going to start with the most urgent item on the agenda.
.
It started to get cold just as we left the building.
, .
Before we begin, I want to thank everyone for being here.
.
My grandfather started playing the piano when he was already old.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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Grammar articles
(10)Spanish -ar Verbs: Present Tense Conjugation Chart and List
Spanish Formal Commands: Usted and Ustedes Imperative
Spanish Neuter Article lo: lo bueno, lo que, lo de
Spanish Nosotros Commands: How to Say 'Let's'
Basic Spanish Prepositions: de, a, en, con, por, para
Spanish Present Subjunctive: Forms, Irregulars and Practice
Spanish Preterite Tense: Endings and the Irregular Stems
Spanish Stem-Changing Verbs: e>ie, o>ue, e>i Boot Verbs
Spanish Verbal Periphrases: acabar de, llevar and volver a
Spanish Verbs with Prepositions: pensar en, soñar con
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empezar: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "empezar" (to start, to begin): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 4, lesson 11: empezar, tanto, papá and 6 more words.