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"Began" is a form of "begin", a transitive verb which is often translated as "empezar". Learn more about "begin" below.
begin(
bi
-
gihn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to start)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (to start)
a. empezar
Let me begin by thanking you for being here this afternoon.Déjenme empezar por agradecerles que estén aquí esta tarde.
b. comenzar
We were waiting at the bus stop when the storm began.Estábamos esperando en la parada de autobús cuando comenzó la tormenta.
c. iniciarse
The new healthcare program begins January first.Se iniciará el nuevo programa sanitario el primero de enero.
a. originarse
The tradition of the American boarding school began in England.La tradición del internado estadounidense se originó en Inglaterra.