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Questions & Answers about Итак, начнём работать.
Why use итак for "so" instead of так?
Итак is a special introductory word used to mean "so," "well," or "to sum up" when transitioning to a new action or drawing a conclusion. Так on its own usually means "in this way" or "so" (as in "so big").
How does начнём mean "let us start" if it translates to the future tense "we will start"?
In Russian, the first-person plural (we) form of a perfective verb in the future tense is often used as a direct way to say "let's do something." Context makes it clear whether you are stating a future fact ("we will start") or making a suggestion ("let's start").
Why do we use the imperfective verb работать here instead of a perfective equivalent?
This is a strict rule in Russian grammar: verbs of beginning, continuing, and ending must always be followed by an imperfective infinitive. Even though начнём is perfective, the action you are starting is viewed as an ongoing process, requiring the imperfective работать.
Could I add давайте to this sentence?
Yes! You can say Итак, давайте начнём работать. Adding давайте makes the suggestion a little softer and more polite, whereas using начнём by itself is slightly more direct and energetic.