The Present Tense of comenzar is used to describe actions that are starting or beginning right now. For example, Comienzo a estudiar español. (I’m starting to study Spanish.)
Comenzar is a stem-changing verb, meaning the vowel in the stem changes in certain conjugations. The e changes to ie in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Conjugations
Conjugations of Comenzar (to begin) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo | comienzo |
| Tú | comienzas |
| Él / Ella / Usted | comienza |
| Nosotros / Nosotras | comenzamos |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes | comienzan |
Boost Your Memorization with Audio!
We’ve included audio recordings of the the conjugations of Comenzar (to begin) in the Present Tense to help you learn faster.
Pro Tip: Play the audio on a loop as you study the chart. This repetition will solidify the correct conjugations in your memory.
Usage of Comenzar in the Present Tense
Comenzar generally means to start or begin something, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.
To start an action: For example, Yo comienzo a trabajar a las 8 am. (I start working at 8 am.)
To initiate something: For example, Ellos comienzan un nuevo proyecto. (They start a new project.)
To begin a journey: For example, Nosotros comenzamos nuestro viaje mañana. (We begin our trip tomorrow.)
To start a habit or routine: For example, Ella comienza a hacer ejercicio todas las mañanas. (She starts exercising every morning.)
Colloquial usage (rude): For example, ¡Comienza a hablar de una vez! (Start talking already!)
Examples
Examples of Comenzar in the Present Tense
Hoy comienzo un nuevo trabajo en la oficina. (Today I’m starting a new job at the office.)
Cada mañana, comenzamos el día con un desayuno nutritivo. (Every morning, we start the day with a nutritious breakfast.)
La película comienza a las 8 pm. (The movie starts at 8 pm.)
¿A qué hora comienzan las clases de baile? (What time do the dance classes start?)
Mis amigos y yo comenzamos a planear nuestras vacaciones de verano. (My friends and I are starting to plan our summer vacation.)
El concierto comienza en media hora, así que apresúrense. (The concert starts in half an hour, so hurry up.)
La temporada de fútbol comienza la próxima semana. (The soccer season starts next week.)
¿A qué hora comienzas tu turno en el restaurante? (What time does your shift at the restaurant start?)
Las clases de cocina comienzan el próximo mes. (The cooking classes start next month.)
El nuevo año escolar comienza en agosto. (The new school year starts in August.)
Mis padres comienzan a planear su jubilación. (My parents are starting to plan their retirement.)
La reunión comienza a las 10 am en punto. (The meeting starts at 10 am sharp.)
El entrenamiento comienza la semana que viene. (The training starts next week.)
¿Cuándo comienzas tu nuevo proyecto? (When are you starting your new project?)
Las vacaciones de primavera comienzan el próximo mes. (Spring break starts next month.)
Conjugations with English Translations
Conjugations of Comenzar (to begin) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Yo comienzo | I begin |
| Tú comienzas | You begin |
| Él / Ella / Usted comienza | He / She / You begins |
| Nosotros / Nosotras comenzamos | We begin |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes comienzan | They / You all begin |
This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here
Synonyms
The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.