Doncs, comencem la partida.

Here doncs works as a discourse marker, not as a strict logical therefore.

In this sentence, it sounds like:

• Well,
• So,
• Then,

It helps introduce the next step in the conversation. In spoken Catalan, doncs is very common for moving things along, reacting, or concluding something.

So in Doncs, comencem la partida, it has the feel of:

• Well then, let’s start the game.
• So, let’s begin the match.

The comma shows that doncs is being used as a separate introductory word, like well or so in English.

So:

• Doncs, comencem la partida. = Well, let’s start the game.

The comma helps mark a natural pause in speech. It is very normal when doncs is used this way.

Comencem is the 1st person plural form of començar in the present indicative:

• jo començo = I start
• tu comences = you start
• ell/ella comença = he/she starts
• nosaltres comencem = we start
• vosaltres comenceu = you all start
• ells/elles comencen = they start

So comencem literally means we start.

In context, though, it often sounds like English let’s start.

Catalan usually omits subject pronouns when the verb already makes the subject clear.

Since comencem clearly means we start, you do not need to say nosaltres.

So:

• Comencem la partida. = We start the game / Let’s start the game.

You could say Nosaltres comencem la partida, but that would usually add emphasis, such as contrasting we with someone else.

Yes, very often it does in context.

Literally, comencem is we start, but Catalan often uses the 1st person plural present to make suggestions or initiate an action, much like English let’s.

So depending on context:

• Comencem. = We’re starting.
• Comencem? = Shall we start?
• Comencem la partida. = Let’s start the game.

Catalan usually uses the definite article more often than English does.

Here la partida means the game / the match / the round, referring to a specific one that both speaker and listener know about.

So Catalan naturally says:

• comencem la partida

where English might say either:

• start the game
• or sometimes just start the game now

Using partida without the article would sound less natural in this sentence.

Partida usually refers to a game session, round, or match, depending on context.

It is often used for:

• board games
• card games
• chess
• other competitive games

It is more specific than joc in many contexts.

A useful contrast:

• joc = game in the general sense
• partida = a particular game, round, or match being played

So if people are about to begin one actual play session, la partida is very natural.

Because here començar is taking a direct object:

• comencem la partida = we start the game

But Catalan can also use començar a + infinitive when what follows is an action:

• comencem a jugar = we start playing
• comencen a parlar = they begin to speak

So both patterns exist:

• començar + noun → comencem la partida
• començar a + infinitive → comencem a jugar

A broad pronunciation is:

• co-men-CEM

A more Catalan-like pronunciation is approximately koo-men-SEM or ku-mən-SEM, depending on accent.

A few useful points:

• The c before e is pronounced like s
• The stress falls on the last syllable: comenCEM
• The final -em is not like English eem; it is shorter

And doncs is often pronounced roughly like dons in everyday speech.

Yes, absolutely.

• Comencem la partida. = neutral, direct
• Doncs, comencem la partida. = adds a conversational tone, like well then or so

So doncs is not required for grammar. It just adds tone and flow.

It is generally neutral to informal-conversational.

Nothing in the sentence is slang or incorrect in formal Catalan, but doncs especially gives it a spoken, natural feel.

So it would sound very normal:

• among friends
• in a game setting
• in everyday conversation

In a more formal instruction, someone might simply say:

• Comencem la partida.

But doncs makes it sound more like real speech.