-ar verb irregular · stem-changing e>ie A1 · Beginner

Conjugate comenzar in Spanish

to begin / to start

comenzar is an irregular -ar verb ranked #54 among the most common Spanish verbs. For example: "Yo comienzo todos los días." (I begin every day.). Use the tables below for full conjugation across all 7 tenses.

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⚡ Irregular verb — comenzar (stem-changing e>ie) does not follow standard -ar patterns. Pay close attention to the stems in each tense.

Describes current actions, habits, and general truths. The most frequently used tense — master it first.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo comienzo *
comienzas *
él/ella/Ud. comienza *
nosotros comenzamos
vosotros comenzáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. comienzan *
Example

Yo comienzo todos los días.

I begin every day.

Describes completed past actions with a clear start and end. Key signals: ayer, el lunes pasado, de repente.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo comencé *
comenzaste
él/ella/Ud. comenzó
nosotros comenzamos
vosotros comenzasteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. comenzaron
Example

Nosotros comenzamos juntos.

We begin together.

Describes habitual past actions, background context, and ongoing states. Key signals: siempre, normalmente, cuando era niño.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo comenzaba
comenzabas
él/ella/Ud. comenzaba
nosotros comenzábamos
vosotros comenzabais
ellos/ellas/Uds. comenzaban
Example

Antes yo comenzaba con frecuencia.

Before, I used to begin / to start often.

Describes future events and predictions. In everyday speech, ir a + infinitive is often preferred for planned events.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo comenzaré
comenzarás
él/ella/Ud. comenzará
nosotros comenzaremos
vosotros comenzaréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. comenzarán
Example

Mañana yo comenzaré.

Tomorrow I will begin / to start.

Expresses what would happen under certain conditions — equivalent to "would" in English. Also used for polite requests.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo comenzaría
comenzarías
él/ella/Ud. comenzaría
nosotros comenzaríamos
vosotros comenzaríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. comenzarían
Example

Si pudiera, yo comenzaría.

If I could, I would begin / to start.

Used in clauses expressing wishes, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty — typically after que. Triggers: querer, esperar, dudar, ojalá.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo comience *
comiences *
él/ella/Ud. comience *
nosotros comencemos *
vosotros comencéis *
ellos/ellas/Uds. comiencen *
Example

Quiero que tú comiences más.

I want you to begin more.

Used to give commands and direct requests. Affirmative and negative forms differ significantly in Spanish.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo -
comienza *
él/ella/Ud. comience *
nosotros comencemos *
vosotros comenzad
ellos/ellas/Uds. comiencen *
Example

Él comienza con frecuencia.

He begins often.

Test yourself

Type the correct conjugation for each prompt.

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Example sentences

Common phrases with comenzar

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