empezar

1. to begin, to start

to initiate an activity or process

• La clase empieza a las nueve.The class starts at nine.
• Empezamos el trabajo temprano.We started work early.

2. to start doing something, to begin to + a infinitivo

to begin an action

• Empezó a llover.It started to rain.
• Quiero empezar a estudiar.I want to start studying.

3. to start with, to begin with empezar por, empezar con

to take something as the first step or starting point

• Empezamos por el principio.We started at the beginning.
• La reunión empezó con una presentación.The meeting began with a presentation.