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"Start" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "comenzar", and "on" is a preposition which is often translated as "en". Learn more about the difference between "start" and "on" 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.
on(
an
)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.
Our anniversary is on Saturday.Nuestro aniversario es el sábado.
Where were you on the morning of September 30th?¿Dónde estabas la mañana del 30 de septiembre?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Are you on any medication?¿Toma algún medicamento?
The driver was a young kid on drugs.El conductor era un chico que iba drogado.
a. de (trip, tour or vacation)
The band will be on tour until December.El grupo estará de gira hasta diciembre.
a. en (the Internet)
I spent hours on the Internet looking for information for my paper.Pasé horas en Internet buscando de información para mi trabajo.
b. a (the phone)
I have to talk with my boss, but he's on the phone at the moment.Tengo que hablar con mi jefe pero está al teléfono ahora mismo.
11. (radio or TV)
12. (transport)
b. a (into a bus, train or airplane)
We got on the plane at six, but we only took off half an hour later.Subimos al avión a las seis pero tardamos media hora en despegar.
13. (music)
a. a
Playing on keyboards, Dave! A big round of applause for him!¡Al teclado, Dave! ¡Un fuerte aplauso para él!
14. (according to)
a. según
The order will be delivered based on your instructions.Se entregará el pedido según sus instrucciones.
a. por cuenta de
The dinner is on my father, and I will buy the cinema tickets.La cena va por cuenta de mi padre y yo pago las entradas para el cine.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
17. (in place)
18. (with clothing)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
From next year on, I will be pursuing my real dream.A partir del año que viene, perseguiré mi verdadero sueño.
There's a gas station a couple of miles further on.Hay una gasolinera un par de millas más adelante.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Dream on; nothing is impossible!¡Sigue soñando, que nada es imposible!
She went on and on about how smart her kids were.No paraba de hablar de lo inteligentes que eran sus hijos.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
21. (in operation)
a. encendido
If the lights are on, the store's open.Si las luces están encendidas, la tienda está abierta.
b. prendido (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
While the oven is on, I'll bake this cake.Como está prendido el horno, hornearé esta torta.
22. (occurring)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The race is on to find the missing ship.Ya empezó la carrera para encontrar el barco desaparecido.
This event is still on, despite the rain!¡El evento sigue en pie a pesar de la lluvia!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Is there anything good on at the movies?¿Están dando algo bueno en el cine?
Your favorite song is on right now.Está sonando tu canción favorita ahora mismo.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I bet you $20 she doesn’t turn up. - You’re on!Te apuesto $10 a que no viene. - ¡Trato hecho!
I'll buy you dinner if you ask her out. - OK, you're on.Te invito a cenar si le pides que salga contigo - Vale.
