How do I say start doing something in Spanish?

Empezar a + infinitive (or comenzar a + infinitive). Conjugate empezar in any tense, add a, then the infinitive. Empecé a estudiar (I started studying). Empieza a llover (It's starting to rain).

What's the difference between empezar and comenzar?

Both mean to start / begin. Empezar is more colloquial and frequent; comenzar is slightly more formal. They're interchangeable in nearly all contexts. Both follow the e → ie stem change in present and subjunctive.

Why is empezar's preterite empecé and not empezé?

Spanish spelling rule: c changes to qu before e or i to preserve the c sound. So empezar's preterite yo form is empecé (not empezé, which would change pronunciation). The rule also applies to verbs like buscar (busqué), pagar (pagué).

Can I use empezar without a preposition?

Empezar can take a direct object (empezar un proyecto = start a project), but with an infinitive following, the preposition a is mandatory. Empezar + a + infinitive is the fixed construction.

How can I learn empezar a naturally?

Starting new actions is a constant topic of conversation. Parrot's short-form videos surface empecé a estudiar / empieza a llover / vamos a empezar in real contexts, so the construction becomes automatic with exposure.

Spanish grammar · Intermediate

Empezar A + Infinitive: How to Say Start Doing in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Periphrastic meaning to start / begin doing. Conjugate empezar (e → ie stem change) or its synonym comenzar (also e → ie), add a, follow with an infinitive. Common for starting habits, projects, or sudden actions.

Empecé a estudiar español hace dos años.

I started studying Spanish two years ago.

What it is

Empezar a + infinitive is the standard Spanish construction for to start / begin doing. Conjugate empezar (with e → ie stem change in present and subjunctive) or its synonym comenzar, add a, then any infinitive. Used for starting habits, projects, classes, or sudden physical actions.

In Empecé a estudiar español hace dos años (I started studying Spanish two years ago), empecé is the preterite yo form of empezar, a is the connector, and estudiar is the infinitive.

How to spot it

Look for empezar / comenzar + a + infinitive. The a is mandatory. Both empezar and comenzar work; they're interchangeable in most contexts.

Empieza a llover. — It's starting to rain.
Empezamos a trabajar a las 9. — We start working at 9.
Comenzaron a discutir. — They started arguing.

Empezar is more colloquial and frequent; comenzar is slightly more formal but equally correct. Both follow the same e → ie stem change pattern.

Empezar a + Infinitive Quick Reference

Empezar a across tenses

Tense	yo form	Meaning
Present	empiezo a + inf.	I'm starting...
Preterite	empecé a + inf.	I started...
Imperfect	empezaba a + inf.	I was starting...
Future	empezaré a + inf.	I'll start...
Conditional	empezaría a + inf.	I would start...
Subjunctive	empiece a + inf.	(that) I start...

Common Empezar a + Infinitive Examples in Spanish

Empezar a covers starting habits, projects, classes, and sudden actions. One of the most flexible Spanish periphrastic constructions.

Starting Habits and Projects

Empecé a estudiar español.: I started studying Spanish.
Comenzamos a aprender piano.: We started learning piano.
Empezó a trabajar el lunes.: He started working on Monday.
Empiezan a entrenar mañana.: They start training tomorrow.
Quiero empezar a leer más.: I want to start reading more.

New habits, classes, jobs, projects all take empezar a + infinitive.

Sudden Actions

Empezó a llover de repente.: It suddenly started raining.
El bebé empezó a llorar.: The baby started crying.
Empezaron a discutir sin razón.: They started arguing for no reason.
Empieza a hacer frío.: It's starting to get cold.
El coche empezó a hacer ruido.: The car started making noise.

Sudden onset of weather, emotions, or mechanical issues take empezar a.

Scheduled or Planned Starts

Las clases empiezan a las 8.: Classes start at 8.
Empezamos a trabajar el lunes.: We start working on Monday.
La película empieza a las 7.: The movie starts at 7.
Comencemos a planear las vacaciones.: Let's start planning the vacation.
Empieza a hablar cuando estés listo.: Start speaking when you're ready.

Scheduled events (classes, movies, work) commonly take empezar a + infinitive to express their start.

Negative or Hesitant Starts

No quiero empezar a discutir.: I don't want to start arguing.
Es difícil empezar a hacer ejercicio.: It's hard to start exercising.
No empieces a quejarte.: Don't start complaining.
Si empezamos a beber, no paramos.: If we start drinking, we don't stop.
Casi empieza a llorar.: She almost started crying.

Negative commands and hesitations about starting use the same construction.

How Empezar A Works

Structure: Empezar + A + Infinitive

Conjugate empezar (e → ie stem change in present and subjunctive; preterite is empecé due to spelling rule c → c before e) in any tense, add a (always the same), then an infinitive.

Empiezo a / empecé a / empezaba a + infinitive.

Tense changes only on empezar.

Empezar + a + infinitive.

Comenzar A as Synonym

Comenzar a + infinitive means the same thing and follows the same e → ie stem change. Slightly more formal than empezar. Both are interchangeable in most contexts.

Empecé / comencé a estudiar.

Same meaning, different formality.

Comenzar = formal synonym for empezar.

Empezar Has e → ie Stem Change

In the present indicative and subjunctive, empezar takes the e → ie boot change: empiezo, empiezas, empieza, empiezan (and subjunctive empiece, empieces, etc.). Nosotros and vosotros keep the e (empezamos, empezáis). The preterite yo form takes c → c before e: empecé.

empiezo, empezamos, empecé.

Stem change and spelling rule.

Boot e → ie; preterite empecé.

The Preposition Is A, Not De

Note the contrast with dejar de: empezar takes a, dejar takes de. Each periphrastic construction has its own required preposition. Memorize the pairing.

empezar A vs. dejar DE vs. tener QUE.

Different prepositions for different constructions.

Empezar = a. Dejar = de. Tener = que.

Common Mistakes with Empezar a + Infinitive

Incorrect: Empecé estudiar español. — I started studying Spanish. (wrong, missing a)

Correct: Empecé a estudiar español. — I started studying Spanish.

Empezar requires the preposition a before the infinitive. Without a, the sentence is incomplete or ungrammatical.

Incorrect: Empecé a estudiando. — I started studying. (wrong, gerund instead of infinitive)

Correct: Empecé a estudiar. — I started studying.

After empezar a, use the infinitive (estudiar), not the gerund (estudiando). Spanish uses infinitives in periphrastic constructions.

Incorrect: Empezo a llover. — It's starting to rain. (wrong, missing e → ie stem change)

Correct: Empieza a llover. — It's starting to rain.

In the present indicative, empezar takes the e → ie boot change. The él/ella form is empieza, not empezo. The infinitive is empezar, but the conjugated forms (except nosotros/vosotros) change.

Empezar a + Infinitive FAQs

How do I say start doing something in Spanish?: Empezar a + infinitive (or comenzar a + infinitive). Conjugate empezar in any tense, add a, then the infinitive. Empecé a estudiar (I started studying). Empieza a llover (It's starting to rain).
What's the difference between empezar and comenzar?: Both mean to start / begin. Empezar is more colloquial and frequent; comenzar is slightly more formal. They're interchangeable in nearly all contexts. Both follow the e → ie stem change in present and subjunctive.
Why is empezar's preterite empecé and not empezé?: Spanish spelling rule: c changes to qu before e or i to preserve the c sound. So empezar's preterite yo form is empecé (not empezé, which would change pronunciation). The rule also applies to verbs like buscar (busqué), pagar (pagué).
Can I use empezar without a preposition?: Empezar can take a direct object (empezar un proyecto = start a project), but with an infinitive following, the preposition a is mandatory. Empezar + a + infinitive is the fixed construction.
How can I learn empezar a naturally?: Starting new actions is a constant topic of conversation. Parrot's short-form videos surface empecé a estudiar / empieza a llover / vamos a empezar in real contexts, so the construction becomes automatic with exposure.