empezar present tense conjugation
Empezar (to begin, start) in the present tense: empiezo, empiezas, empieza, empezamos, empezáis, empiezan.
Presente Present
| yo | regular: empezo |
|---|---|
| tú | regular: empezas |
| él/ella/usted | regular: empeza |
| nosotros | |
| vosotros | |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | regular: empezan |
ending regular · irr breaks the pattern · tap a form to hear it
When to use the present tense
The present (presente de indicativo) describes what happens now, what happens regularly, and fixed facts. It is also used for the near future: “Mañana salgo a las ocho.”
How it is formed
Regular endings attach to the stem (infinitive minus -ar/-er/-ir): -ar → o, as, a, amos, áis, an; -er → o, es, e, emos, éis, en; -ir → o, es, e, imos, ís, en.
Empezar is irregular here. 4 of 6 forms break the pattern (dark tiles above); the regular pattern would give empezo, empezas, empeza, empezan.
Empezar in a sentence
- Empiezo a trabajar a las nueve.I start working at nine.
- La clase empezó tarde ayer.The class started late yesterday.
e→ie stem change; z→c before e (empecé); followed by 'a' + infinitive.
FAQ
What is the present tense of empezar?
Empezar in the Spanish present tense: yo empiezo, tú empiezas, él/ella/usted empieza, nosotros empezamos, vosotros empezáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes empiezan.
Is empezar irregular in the present tense?
Yes. 4 of 6 forms break the regular pattern: yo empiezo (regular would be empezo); tú empiezas (regular would be empezas); él/ella/usted empieza (regular would be empeza); ellos/ellas/ustedes empiezan (regular would be empezan).
When do you use the Spanish present tense?
The present (presente de indicativo) describes what happens now, what happens regularly, and fixed facts. It is also used for the near future: “Mañana salgo a las ocho.”
How is the present tense formed?
Regular endings attach to the stem (infinitive minus -ar/-er/-ir): -ar → o, as, a, amos, áis, an; -er → o, es, e, emos, éis, en; -ir → o, es, e, imos, ís, en.
Full empezar conjugation, all tenses →
Drill it with flashcards →