começar

Senses

1. 1.

   to start; to begin

   to initiate or set in motion (an action, event, or state)

2. 2.

   to commence; to open

   to take the first step in a sequence or process

3. 3.

   to start (with)

   to begin by doing or using something specific

Examples

• "Eu vou começar o trabalho amanhã."

  I'm going to start the work tomorrow.

• "O filme começou às 8 da noite."

  The movie started at 8 o'clock at night.

• "Vamos começar por apresentar nossos nomes."

  Let's start by introducing our names.

Usage

One of the most common verbs in Brazilian Portuguese. Can be followed by a noun (começar o trabalho), infinitive (começar a estudar), or gerund (começar estudando). Note the spelling variation: has a 'ç' to maintain the soft /s/ sound before 'e' and 'a'.