vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Start" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "comenzar", and "off" is an adverb which is often translated as "apagado". Learn more about the difference between "start" and "off" below.
start(
start
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to begin)
a. empezar
A group of students started the anti-war movement.Un grupo de estudiantes empezó el movimiento contra la guerra.
c. dar comienzo
The teacher started the course with a speech.El profesor dio comienzo al curso con un discurso.
a. encender
You can't start the hedge cutter because the power cord is unplugged.No puedes encender el cortasetos porque el cable está desenchufado.
b. arrancar
If you cannot start your car, I will take you.Si no puedes arrancar el coche, te llevaré yo.
c. poner en marcha
I could not start the motorcycle because its tank was empty.No pude poner en marcha la moto porque el depósito estaba vacío.
4. (to found)
d. poner en marcha
My boss started this empire with just one store.Mi jefe puso en marcha este imperio con solo una tienda.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
5. (to begin)
a. empezar
It all started when he decided to go abroad.Todo empezó cuando decidió irse al extranjero.
7. (to set out)
a. arrancar
My car won't start, so I had to take the bus.Mi coche no arranca, así que tuve que coger el autobús.
b. ponerse en marcha
If the lawn mower doesn't start, clean the filters.Si el cortacésped no se pone en marcha, limpia los filtros.
10. (to protrude)
a. salirse
His eyes started when he saw her in that red dress.Se le salían los ojos cuando la vio con ese vestido rojo.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
11. (beginning)
a. el comienzo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The start of the tournament will take place at two o'clock.El comienzo de torneo tendrá lugar a las dos en punto.
b. el principio (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Be patient at the start of the race; save your strength.Ten paciencia al principio de la carrera; ahorra fuerzas.
b. la línea de salida (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Please, all runners go to the start.Por favor, todos los corredores acudan a la línea de salida.
c. la línea de partida (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The runners left the start at nine o'clock.Los corredores salieron de la línea de partida a las nueve en punto.
a. el respingo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The student gave a start when the teacher called his name.El alumno dio un respingo cuando el profesor dijo su nombre.
b. el sobresalto (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I woke up with a start because I thought I was late for work.Me levanté de un sobresalto porque pensé que iba tarde para el trabajo.
14. (sports)
a. la ventaja (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Our team had a five-minute start over our competitors.Nuestro equipo tuvo una ventaja de cinco minutos sobre nuestros contrincantes.
off(
af
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. apagado
If you press the button while the radio is off, it turns on automatically.Si pulsas el botón cuando la radio está apagada, se enciende automáticamente.
2. (distant)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
As soon as Claire gets here, we'll head off to the park.En cuanto llegue Claire, nos iremos al parque.
I'm off to Colombia on Monday!¡Me voy a Colombia el lunes!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Pull the label off.Saca la etiqueta.
When she takes her scarf off, you can see the necklace she is wearing.Cuando se quita la bufanda, se puede ver el collar que lleva puesto.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'm off work until the new year.Estoy fuera de la oficina hasta el año nuevo.
The kids have the day off of school because of snow.Los niños no tienen que ir a la escuela a causa de la nieve.
7. (near)
a. cerca
I live on a small street just off the main road.Vivo en una pequeña calle cerca de la carretera principal.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
She is off sugar as she is trying to lose some weight.No consume azúcar porque está tratando de perder peso.
The doctor warned him about going off his medication.El doctor le advirtió que no debería dejar de tomar su medicamento.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I need you to take a link off this watch.Necesito que le quite un eslabón a este reloj.
Take that towel off that chair.Saca la toalla de esa silla.
b. de descuento (pricing)
Subscribe to our newsletter and get 20% off your next purchase.Suscríbase a nuestro boletín para conseguir un 20% de descuento en su próxima compra.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
10. (canceled)
a. cancelado
The event is off due to a scheduling error.Se ha cancelado el evento debido a un error de planificación.
11. (wrong)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
His table manners are a bit off.Sus modales en la mesa dejan algo que desear.
I thought Julia was a bit off with me this morning.Me pareció que Julia fue algo brusca conmigo esta mañana.
12. (electricity)
13. (unwell)