Why Empezar Works Best as Chunks
Empezar means to begin, but the prepositions around it change the meaning: a for an action, por for a starting point, de for a fresh start. Learn the frames as units and you will not have to guess the preposition.
Pattern 1: Empezar a + infinitive — "To start doing"
The most common frame. It marks the moment an action begins. Compare with [A +] Chunks.
- Empecé a estudiar español hace un año. — I started studying Spanish a year ago.
- Empieza a llover. — It's starting to rain.
- Ya empiezo a entender. — I'm starting to understand.
Chunk to learn:
Empezar a + [infinitive]
Pattern 2: Para empezar — "To begin with"
A discourse chunk for listing reasons or steps. It opens an argument or a plan.
- Para empezar, necesitamos un plan. — To begin with, we need a plan.
- Para empezar, hace mucho frío. — For starters, it's very cold.
- Para empezar, no tengo tiempo. — First of all, I don't have time.
Chunk to learn:
Para empezar, + [first point]
Pattern 3: Empezar por — "To start with / at"
Use por when you pick a starting point among several options.
- Empieza por lo más fácil. — Start with the easiest part.
- Vamos a empezar por el principio. — Let's start from the beginning.
- ¿Por dónde empezamos? — Where do we start?
Chunk to learn:
Empezar por + [noun / infinitive]
Pattern 4: Empezar de cero — "To start from scratch"
For starting over with nothing, in work, study, or life. De nuevo is a close alternative meaning again.
- Quiero empezar de cero. — I want to start from scratch.
- Tuvimos que empezar de cero. — We had to start from scratch.
- Vamos a empezar de nuevo. — Let's start again.
Chunk to learn:
Empezar de cero / de nuevo
Pattern 5: Empezar con buen pie — "To get off to a good start"
A friendly idiom for a good beginning. Its opposite is empezar con mal pie.
- Quiero empezar el año con buen pie. — I want to start the year off right.
- Empezamos con buen pie. — We got off to a good start.
- Empezó con mal pie en el trabajo. — He got off to a bad start at work.
Chunk to learn:
Empezar con buen / mal pie
Pattern 6: ¿A qué hora empieza…? — Schedules
The practical frame for classes, films, and events. In schedules, Spanish uses the present tense.
- ¿A qué hora empieza la película? — What time does the movie start?
- La clase empieza a las nueve. — Class starts at nine.
- Empieza en cinco minutos. — It starts in five minutes.
Chunk to learn:
¿A qué hora empieza + [event]?
Start Where You Are
Actions, openers, starting points, fresh starts, luck, and schedules all run through one verb. For another verb that marks time in a sentence, see [Llevar] Chunks.
Start with empezar a and para empezar. You will use both the next time you speak Spanish.
This post is part of the Spanish Chunk Series — a growing collection of chunk patterns for natural Spanish.