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"Start" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "comenzar", and "start off" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "empezar". Learn more about the difference between "start" and "start 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.
start off(
stard
af
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. empezar
When Saray heard her name at the award ceremony, she started off by crying, but then began to laugh.Cuando Saray escuchó su nombre en la ceremonia de premios, empezó a llorar y luego se echó a reír.
b. comenzar
Baseball practice started off with throwing and catching.La práctica de béisbol comenzó con lanzamientos entre jugadores.
a. arrancar
Grandma's old car started off with a loud backfire and a lurch forward.El viejo carro de la abuela arrancó con un fuerte petardeo y un impulso hacia delante.
b. salir
Mariana was late, so she took her bag and started off to school.Mariana llegaba tarde, así que agarró su mochila y salió para la escuela.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. comenzar
Madison started off her season by making 50 baskets during the first game.Madison comenzó su temporada con 50 canastas durante el primer partido.
b. empezar
Gloria shocked everyone when she said we should start off the town council meeting with a prayer.Gloria sorprendió a todos cuando dijo que debíamos empezar la reunión del consejo municipal con una oración.
