QUICK ANSWER
"Comienza" is a form of "comenzar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to begin". "Empieza" is a form of "empezar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to start". Learn more about the difference between "comienza" and "empieza" below.
comenzar(
koh
-
mehn
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
empezar(
ehm
-
peh
-
sahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to start by
Quiero empezar por darles la bienvenida esta noche.I'd like to start by welcoming you this evening.
b. to begin by
Quiero empezar por decirte lo mucho que aprecio todo lo que has hecho.I want to begin by saying how much I appreciate what you've done.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).