Empezar — "to begin, to start" — is in everyone's top ten most-used Spanish verbs. It opens countless sentences (Empezamos a las nueve, Ha empezado a llover, No sé por dónde empezar) and serves as the workhorse for any kind of beginning. Its near-synonym comenzar exists and is grammatically identical in pattern, but empezar is the more colloquial, conversational choice in peninsular Spanish — what you would actually hear in a Madrid café, a Valencia office, or a Sevilla classroom.
The verb combines two different irregularities, each from a different family: an e → ie stem change inherited from a wider class of verbs, and a z → c spelling shift that affects every Spanish verb ending in -zar. Neither change is hard once you understand why it happens — and the combination makes empezar an excellent training ground for both phenomena.
The two irregularities — what each does and where
Layer 1 — Stem change e → ie. Whenever the stem syllable is stressed, the e of empezar diphthongizes to ie → empiezo, empiezas, empieza, empiezan, empiece, empieces, etc. The change appears in the present indicative (except nosotros and vosotros) and across the present subjunctive in the same pattern. It does not appear in the preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, gerund, or participle — those have unstressed stem syllables.
Layer 2 — Spelling shift z → c before e. Whenever a conjugation puts the stem's z in front of e (or i, though that doesn't happen here), the letter switches to c. This affects:
- The first-person preterite: empecé (not empezé)
- The entire present subjunctive: empiece, empieces, empiece, empecemos, empecéis, empiecen
- Usted, ustedes, and nosotros imperatives (which borrow from the subjunctive)
The two irregularities can stack: empiece shows both the e → ie stem change (because the stem is stressed) and the z → c shift (because the ending starts with e). The whole present subjunctive is in fact a master class in both rules at once.
Non-finite forms
| Form | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Infinitivo | empezar | to begin, to start |
| Infinitivo compuesto | haber empezado | to have begun |
| Gerundio | empezando | beginning, starting |
| Gerundio compuesto | habiendo empezado | having begun |
| Participio | empezado (regular) | begun, started |
The participle is regular — no z → c shift — because the ending -ado starts with a.
Indicative — simple tenses
Presente — e → ie under stress
| yo | tú | él/ella/usted | nosotros | vosotros | ellos/ellas/ustedes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| empiezo | empiezas | empieza | empezamos | empezáis | empiezan |
The diphthong appears in the four "stressed-stem" forms. Nosotros (empezamos) and vosotros (empezáis) stress the ending, so the e stays put.
Empiezo a trabajar a las ocho y media.
I start work at half past eight.
¿A qué hora empieza la peli? Que no quiero perdérmela.
What time does the film start? I don't want to miss it.
Empezamos las clases en septiembre, como cada año.
We start classes in September, like every year.
Pretérito perfecto simple — z → c in yo
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| empecé | empezaste | empezó | empezamos | empezasteis | empezaron |
The first-person preterite ending is -é, so the z must switch to c: empecé. The other five persons have endings that start with a or o, so the z stays. There is no e → ie anywhere in this tense — the stress is on the ending, not the stem.
Empecé a estudiar español hace tres años, justo antes de mudarme.
I started studying Spanish three years ago, right before I moved.
La reunión empezó tarde porque el jefe no llegaba.
The meeting started late because the boss wasn't arriving.
Pretérito imperfecto — fully regular
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| empezaba | empezabas | empezaba | empezábamos | empezabais | empezaban |
No changes — the endings start with a, so neither the stem change nor the spelling shift is triggered.
Cada vez que empezaba a hablar, alguien lo interrumpía.
Every time he started to speak, somebody interrupted him.
Futuro simple
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| empezaré | empezarás | empezará | empezaremos | empezaréis | empezarán |
The future is built on the full infinitive empezar-, so no changes appear.
Empezaré la dieta el lunes, esta vez en serio.
I'll start the diet on Monday — this time for real.
Condicional
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| empezaría | empezarías | empezaría | empezaríamos | empezaríais | empezarían |
Yo empezaría por la cocina, es lo que más ensucia.
I'd start with the kitchen — it's what gets messiest.
Indicative — compound tenses
All compound tenses pair haber with the regular participle empezado.
Pretérito perfecto compuesto
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| he empezado | has empezado | ha empezado | hemos empezado | habéis empezado | han empezado |
Ha empezado a llover justo cuando salía de casa.
It's started raining just as I was leaving the house.
Pretérito pluscuamperfecto
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| había empezado | habías empezado | había empezado | habíamos empezado | habíais empezado | habían empezado |
Cuando llegamos al cine, la peli ya había empezado.
When we got to the cinema, the film had already started.
Futuro compuesto
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| habré empezado | habrás empezado | habrá empezado | habremos empezado | habréis empezado | habrán empezado |
Para mañana ya habremos empezado las reformas.
By tomorrow we'll have already started the renovations.
Condicional compuesto
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| habría empezado | habrías empezado | habría empezado | habríamos empezado | habríais empezado | habrían empezado |
Habría empezado antes, pero faltaba un material.
I would have started earlier, but a material was missing.
Subjunctive — simple tenses
Presente de subjuntivo — both changes appear together
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| empiece | empieces | empiece | empecemos | empecéis | empiecen |
This is the marquee table of the verb. Every form switches z → c (because every ending starts with e), and four of the six forms also show the e → ie stem change (the stress falls on the stem in empiece, empieces, empiece, empiecen; on the ending in empecemos, empecéis).
Quiero que empieces ya, no esperes más.
I want you to start now — don't wait any longer.
Es mejor que empecemos por lo más fácil.
We'd better begin with the easiest part.
No empecéis sin mí, llego en cinco minutos.
(You all) don't start without me — I'll be there in five minutes.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra / -se) — fully regular
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -ra | empezara | empezaras | empezara | empezáramos | empezarais | empezaran |
| -se | empezase | empezases | empezase | empezásemos | empezaseis | empezasen |
The imperfect subjunctive is built from the third-person preterite stem (empezaron → empeza-), which has neither change. In Spain -ra dominates conversation; -se is more formal or literary.
Le pidieron que empezara la presentación cuanto antes.
They asked her to start the presentation as soon as possible.
Subjunctive — compound tenses
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| haya empezado | hayas empezado | haya empezado | hayamos empezado | hayáis empezado | hayan empezado |
No creo que haya empezado todavía, suele llegar tarde.
I don't think it's started yet — they usually run late.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo
| yo | tú | él | nosotros | vosotros | ellos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -ra | hubiera empezado | hubieras empezado | hubiera empezado | hubiéramos empezado | hubierais empezado | hubieran empezado |
| -se | hubiese empezado | hubieses empezado | hubiese empezado | hubiésemos empezado | hubieseis empezado | hubiesen empezado |
Si hubiéramos empezado antes, ya habríamos terminado.
If we'd started earlier, we'd be done by now.
Imperative
The tú affirmative is empieza (with the stem change — stressed stem). Usted, ustedes, and nosotros affirmatives borrow from the subjunctive, so they show both ie and c: empiece, empiecen, empecemos. The peninsular vosotros affirmative is empezad — no changes, because the ending -ad triggers neither.
| Form | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| tú | empieza | no empieces |
| usted | empiece | no empiece |
| nosotros | empecemos | no empecemos |
| vosotros | empezad | no empecéis |
| ustedes | empiecen | no empiecen |
Empieza tú, que yo aún no tengo claro qué decir.
You start — I'm still not sure what to say.
Empezad sin mí, llego en diez minutos.
(You all) start without me — I'll be there in ten minutes.
No empieces a quejarte ahora, ya hemos firmado el contrato.
Don't start complaining now — we've already signed the contract.
Empezar a + infinitivo: the workhorse pattern
Empezar is most often paired with a + infinitive to mean "to start doing something." The preposition a is mandatory. You cannot say ❌ empiezo trabajar or ❌ empiezo de trabajar. The structure is rigid:
Empecé a estudiar a las nueve.
I started studying at nine.
Ha empezado a llover, coge el paraguas.
It's started raining — grab the umbrella.
Voy a empezar a hacer ejercicio en serio.
I'm going to start exercising for real.
When the second verb is a noun (a class, a job, a project), no preposition is needed: Empiezo el curso en septiembre, Empezamos el proyecto la semana que viene. The a only appears before another verb.
Empezar vs. comenzar
Both verbs mean "to begin." Grammatically they are identical: both are e → ie stem-changers, both pair with a + infinitive, and comenzar also has a z → c shift (comencé, comience). The difference is register and frequency:
| empezar | comenzar | |
|---|---|---|
| Register | Neutral, conversational | Slightly more formal, written |
| Frequency in Spain | Dominant in speech | More common in writing, journalism |
| Best for learners | Default choice in conversation | Recognize but don't overuse |
If you say empezar in a Madrid café and comenzar in a Madrid newspaper, you will sound like a native speaker. Reverse them and you will sound slightly off — comenzar in casual conversation can feel a touch stiff.
High-frequency collocations from peninsular Spanish
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| empezar a + infinitivo | to start doing something |
| empezar de cero | to start from scratch |
| empezar con buen / mal pie | to get off to a good / bad start |
| empezar por algo | to start with something (a step, a topic) |
| empezar la casa por el tejado | to put the cart before the horse (literally: start the house from the roof) |
| para empezar | to start with, for starters (often a discursive marker) |
| al empezar | at the start, when starting |
| empezar una etapa nueva | to begin a new stage / chapter (of life) |
Después del divorcio, empecé de cero en otra ciudad.
After the divorce I started from scratch in another city.
Hemos empezado con muy mal pie esta mañana.
We've gotten off to a really bad start this morning.
Estás empezando la casa por el tejado, primero hay que cerrar el contrato.
You're putting the cart before the horse — first we have to close the contract.
Para empezar, no me llamaste para avisarme.
For starters, you didn't call me to let me know.
The classic English-speaker error
English uses "to start" with a bare infinitive or a gerund: "I started to read" or "I started reading." Spanish has only one option: empezar a + infinitivo. Both English forms collapse onto this single Spanish pattern. The mistake is to drop the a — ❌ Empecé leer el libro — or substitute another preposition (❌ Empecé en leer, ❌ Empecé de leer). The preposition is mandatory, no exceptions.
The second error: forgetting the z → c shift in the first-person preterite. ❌ Empezé is one of the most common A1 misspellings, because the ending sounds the same as it would with z. Spanish orthography just doesn't allow ze — write ce.
❌ Empecé leer el periódico por la mañana.
*Empezar* requires the preposition *a* before another verb: *empecé a leer*.
✅ Empecé a leer el periódico por la mañana.
I started reading the newspaper in the morning.
Common Mistakes
❌ Yo empezé a estudiar a los seis años.
Spanish orthography forbids *ze* — the first-person preterite is *empecé*, with *c*.
✅ Yo empecé a estudiar a los seis años.
I started studying at age six.
❌ Nosotros empiezamos las clases en septiembre.
The *nosotros* present indicative doesn't take the stem change — the stress is on the ending. Use *empezamos*.
✅ Nosotros empezamos las clases en septiembre.
We start classes in September.
❌ Quiero que empiezes ahora mismo.
The present subjunctive requires *z → c*: *empieces*, with both *ie* and *c*.
✅ Quiero que empieces ahora mismo.
I want you to start right now.
❌ Empecé estudiar a las ocho.
*Empezar* + another verb requires the preposition *a*: *empecé a estudiar*.
✅ Empecé a estudiar a las ocho.
I started studying at eight.
❌ Vosotros empiezad sin mí.
The *vosotros* affirmative imperative has no stem change — the stress is on the ending: *empezad*.
✅ Empezad sin mí.
(You all) start without me.
Key Takeaways
- Empezar combines two irregularities: an e → ie stem change under stress, and a z → c spelling shift before e.
- The stem change appears in the present indicative (empiezo, empiezas, empieza, empiezan) and parts of the present subjunctive and imperative — but not in nosotros or vosotros present indicative.
- The z → c shift appears in the first-person preterite (empecé), the entire present subjunctive (empiece, empieces, empiece, empecemos, empecéis, empiecen), and the usted/ustedes/nosotros imperatives.
- The vosotros affirmative imperative is empezad — no changes; the negative is no empecéis.
- The construction empezar a + infinitivo is rigid: to start doing X = empezar a + verb. Never drop the a.
- In peninsular Spanish, empezar is the conversational default; comenzar is the more formal alternative.
Now practice Spanish
Reading grammar gets you part of the way. The exercises are where it sticks — free, no signup needed.
Start learning Spanish→Related Topics
- Cambios vocálicos en la raízA2 — The four stem-change patterns in Spanish verbs — e→ie, o→ue, e→i, u→ue — the 'boot' shape they make, and why vosotros sits outside the boot.
- Cambios ortográficos: -car, -gar, -zarA2 — Why -car, -gar, and -zar verbs look completely regular in the present indicative — and why they suddenly need a c→qu, g→gu, or z→c spelling change as soon as you cross into the preterite or the subjunctive.
- Empezar a + infinitivo: inicio de acciónA2 — How to mark the beginning of an action with empezar a + infinitive — Spain's everyday way of saying when something started.
- comenzarA2 — Full conjugation reference for comenzar (to begin, to start) — an e>ie stem-changing -ar verb with the -zar spelling shift (z→c before e) in the preterite and the entire present subjunctive. The slightly more formal synonym of empezar.
- Todos los tiempos de un vistazoA2 — A single-page master reference of every Spanish tense and mood, with a sample regular verb fully conjugated, the name in English and Spanish, the CEFR level it appears at, and what each tense is for.