Meaning and behavior
What does comenzar mean?
Comenzar means to begin, to commence. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- comenzar
- Gerund
- comenzando
- Past participle
- comenzado
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the present, preterite.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of comenzar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Comenzar |
|---|---|
| yo | comienzo |
| tú | comienzas |
| él / ella / usted | comienza |
| nosotros / nosotras | comenzamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | comenzáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | comienzan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of comenzar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Comenzar |
|---|---|
| yo | comencé |
| tú | comenzaste |
| él / ella / usted | comenzó |
| nosotros / nosotras | comenzamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | comenzasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | comenzaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of comenzar, or for background information.
| Subject | Comenzar |
|---|---|
| yo | comenzaba |
| tú | comenzabas |
| él / ella / usted | comenzaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | comenzábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | comenzabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | comenzaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of comenzar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Comenzar |
|---|---|
| yo | comenzaré |
| tú | comenzarás |
| él / ella / usted | comenzará |
| nosotros / nosotras | comenzaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | comenzaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | comenzarán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Comenzar |
|---|---|
| yo | comience |
| tú | comiences |
| él / ella / usted | comience |
| nosotros / nosotras | comencemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | comencéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | comiencen |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of comenzar that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Comenzar |
|---|---|
| tú | comienza |
| usted | comience |
| nosotros / nosotras | comencemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | comenzad |
| ustedes | comiencen |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of comenzar.
| Subject | Comenzar |
|---|---|
| tú | no comiences |
| usted | no comience |
| nosotros / nosotras | no comencemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no comencéis |
| ustedes | no comiencen |
Verified context
Examples with comenzar
La caridad comienza en casa.
Charity begins at home.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRLa escuela comienza el lunes.
School starts Monday.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRLa escuela comienza en abril.
School begins in April.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Comenzar FAQ
What does comenzar mean?
Comenzar means to begin, to commence.
Is comenzar regular or irregular?
Comenzar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of comenzar?
The gerund of comenzar is comenzando.
What is the past participle of comenzar?
The past participle of comenzar is comenzado.
How is comenzar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is comienzo, comienzas, comienza, comenzamos, comienzan.
How is comenzar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is comencé, comenzaste, comenzó, comenzamos, comenzaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.