The Empezar conjugation chart is a handy tool that shows how the Spanish verb Empezar is conjugated in all forms. This includes the present, past, and future tenses, as well as the subjunctive and imperative moods. The chart also indicates whether the verb is regular or irregular. Let’s discuss the Empezar conjugation chart, conjugations of Empezar, the difference between Empezar and Comenzar, and their usage as well.
1. How do You Use Empezar in a Sentence?
In the Empezar conjugation chart, there are a few different ways that you can use the word Empezar in a sentence.
- You can use it as a verb meaning to start. For example, you might say Empecé mi día con una taza de café (I started my day with a cup of coffee).
- You can also use Empezar as a noun meaning beginning. For example, you might say Este es el empezar de una nueva era. (This is the beginning of a new era).
- Finally, you can use Empezar as an adjective meaning starting. For example, you might say El libro empezó con una escena de acción (The book started with an action scene).
2. Is Empezar Usually Preterite or Imperfect?
The answer to this question depends on the context in which the word is used. Empezar can be either preterite or imperfect, depending on whether the speaker is referring to a specific event or not. If the speaker is referring to a specific event, then Empezar is preterite.
For example, Empecé a trabajar a las ocho de la mañana (I started working at 8 in the morning).
If the speaker is not referring to a specific event, then Empezar is imperfect. For example, Cuando empezaba a trabajar, me sentía muy cansado (When I used to start working, I felt very tired). (See What are SWABIs in Grammar?)
3. What are the Conjugations of Empezar?
The Spanish verb Empezar means to start or to begin. It is a regular -ar verb, which means that it follows the typical conjugation pattern for -ar verbs. The conjugations of empezar are as follows:
Present tense:
- Yo empiezo
- Tú empiezas
- Él/Ella/Ud. empieza
- Nosotros empezamos
- Vosotros empezáis
- Ellos/Ellas/Uds. empiezan
Imperfect tense:
- Yo empezaba
- Tú empezabas
- Él/Ella/Ud. empezaba
- Nosotros empezábamos
- Vosotros empezabais
- Ellos/Ellas/Uds. empezaban
Preterite tense:
- Yo empecé
- Tú empezaste
- Él/Ella/Ud. empezó
- Nosotros empezamos
- Vosotros empezasteis
- Ellos/Ellas/Uds. empezaron
Future tense:
- Yo empezaré
- Tú empezarás
- Él/Ella/Ud. empezará
- Nosotros empezaremos
- Vosotros empezaréis
- Ellos/Ellas/Uds. empezarán
Conditional tense:
- Yo empezaría
- Tú empezarías
- Él/Ella/Ud. empezaría
- Nosotros empezaríamos
- Vosotros empezaríais
- Ellos/Ellas/Uds. empezarían
Present subjunctive:
- Yo empiece
- Tú empieces
- Él/Ella/Ud. empiece
- Nosotros empecemos
- Vosotros empezéis
- Ellos/Ellas/Uds. empiecen
Imperfect subjunctive:
- Yo empezara
- Tú empezaras
- Él/Ella/Ud. empezara
- Nosotros empezáramos
- Vosotros empezarais
- Ellos/Ellas/Uds. empezaran
Command/Imperative:
- ¡Empieza! (Tú)
- ¡Empiece! (Ud.)
- ¡Empiecen! (Uds.)
4. What is Empezar Conjugation Chart?
Subject Pronoun | Present Conjugation | Pronunciation | Translation |
yo | empiezo | (ehm-PYEH-soh) | I start |
tú | empiezas | (ehm-PYEH-sahs) | you start |
él/ella usted | empieza | (ehm-PYEH-sah) | he/she starts – you (formal) start |
nosotros/ nosotras | empezamos | (ehm-peh-SAH-mohs) | we start |
vosotros/ vosotras | empezáis | (ehm-peh-SIYS) | you all start |
ellos/ellas ustedes | empiezan | (ehm-PYEH-sahn) | they start you all start |
5. How do You Conjugate Empezar in the Imperfect?
Remember, the imperfect tense is used to talk about things that are unfinished or the unfinished action.
An example of Empezar conjugate in the imperfect is:
Antes la escuela empezaba a las 8:00 am pero ahora es a las 7:30 am. Translation: Before, school used to start at 8:00 am but now it’s at 7:30 am. (See How do You Say June in Spanish?)
6. What is the Difference Between Empezar and Comenzar?
There is a subtle difference between Empezar and Comenzar.
- Empezar is used when referring to starting something on one’s own initiative, whereas comenzar is used when referring to starting something as part of a group or team effort.
- For example, you might say, Empecé mi propio negocio (I started my own business), but if you are part of a team working on a project, you would say Comenzamos el proyecto (We started the project).
7. What Verb Means to Start in Spanish?
The Spanish verb Empezar means to start. This is a very useful verb to know, as it can be used in a variety of situations. For example, you can use it to describe starting a new project, starting a new day, or starting a new relationship. It’s a versatile verb that can be used in many different contexts.
8. What is the Past Tense of Was in Spanish?
The past tense of was in Spanish is fui. This is used to describe something that happened in the past or to describe someone’s past actions. For example, you might say I was at the park or She was a doctor.
9. What is a Stem Changer?
Stem changer refers to the verb that remains after you remove the infinitive endings which are: – ar, er, and ir.
10. What Kind of Stem-Changing Verb is Empezar?
The Spanish verb Empezar is a stem-changing verb, which means that the stem (the part of the word that remains the same when conjugated) changes in certain forms. In the case of Empezar, the stem changes from e- to i- in the first and second-person singular forms and in the third-person plural form.
This can be a little tricky for English speakers since we don’t typically have stem-changing verbs in our language. However, with a little practice, it’s not too difficult to master this language and the Empezar conjugation chart. (Also read Which is the King of all Languages?)