Thanks a lot maria! very helpful!

Hi gary_hart22, The meanings are similar but with a little differences. COMENZAR – to begin, commence: Ella comenzó diciendo que… She began (commenced) by saying that… EMPEZAR – to begin, start (film, conference, winter, activity): El curso empieza el 16 - The course begins on the 16th ¿Con qué letra empieza? - What letter does it begin with? Ya ha empezado (o llegado) el invierno - Winter has started (or arrived). Ha empezado a nevar - It has started snowing. A ella le empezó a entrar hambre - She began (or started) to feel hungry. Ella tenía dos años cuando empezó a hablar - She started talking when she was two. Él empezó a llorar - He began to cry. Debes empezar el día con un buen desayuno - You should start (or begin) the day with a good breakfast. ¿Ya empezaste el tercer capítulo? - Have you started chapter three yet? INICIAR – start with the meaning of initiate, to introduce someone into something (in art f e). Iniciar relaciones de trabajo – To initiate working relations. Ellos se iniciaban en el arte de la oratoria. They were taking their first steps in the art or public speaking. ARRANCAR – With the meaning of “pull up, start” (Auto, Mec ): begin to operate, to move: car, washing machine, … El coche no arranca – The car won’t start El tren está a punto de arrancar – The train is about to leave You can also see: http://oxforddictionaries.com/translate/english-spanish/start_2

Comenzar: I start my school. Empenzar: I just begin to believe in God. Iniciar: I begin a conversation Arrancar: Yo arranco en mi carro. Principiar: little use in Espanish language

y principiar tambien?