empezar
verbCEFR A1High frequency
What does “empezar” mean in English?
to begin/start
Example sentences
Empezamos la clase a las nueve.
We start class at nine.
Empieza a llover.
It's starting to rain.
Empecé a estudiar ayer.
I started studying yesterday.
How to use it
Empezar means 'to start' / 'to begin'. Irregular with e→ie stem change AND -zar→-cé orthographic change in preterite: empecé. Often paired with a + infinitive.
Common mistake
Preterite 1sg is 'empecé' (with -cé), not 'empezé'. The z → c orthographic rule applies before -e (also: pagar → pagué, buscar → busqué).