Empezar/comenzar a = to begin/start doing something (perífrasis verbal)

In Spanish there is a common verbal structure used to indicate starting actions, using Spanish verbs empezar or comenzar.

Learn how to say "to start doing something" in Spanish

In Spanish we use this verbal structure (known in grammar jargon La perífrasis verbal) to express "To begin/start doing[something]".

Have a look and listen to the following examples in different tenses:

Notice how the preposition "a" always follows empezar/comenzar. In Spanish, unlike in English, after "a" we do not use a gerund (-ing form) but the infinitive.

See also:

• La perífrasis verbal
• Using poner/poner(se) + a + infinitive = to start to carry out an action (perífrasis verbal).