Spanish Phrase
Empecemos con...
Meaning
‘Let’s start with…’ is a collaborative invitation to begin a discussion, lesson, or activity by focusing first on a particular element. It conveys inclusivity and a gentle, organized approach.
When to use
Use this phrase at the start of meetings, classroom lessons, presentations, or any group setting where you want to guide the flow of content. It works well in both formal and informal contexts, especially when you are the facilitator.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Empecemoscon...
Imperative (nosotros) with subjunctive form
‘Empecemos’ is the first‑person plural imperative of ‘empezar’, formed from the present subjunctive (empecemos) and used to make a polite suggestion that includes the speaker.
Preposition ‘con’
‘Con’ means ‘with’ and links the verb to the element that will be started, e.g., a topic, an activity, or an object.
Ellipsis (…) as a placeholder
The three dots indicate that the speaker will add the specific item later; they are not spoken but signal an open‑ended continuation.
🗨In Conversation
Empecemos con la gramática del pretérito perfecto.
Let's start with the grammar of the present perfect.
¡Perfecto! Ya tengo algunos ejemplos preparados.
Perfect! I already have some examples prepared.
✕Common Mistakes
Empezamos con la lección de vocabulario.
‘Empezamos’ is the present indicative (we start) and does not convey the polite suggestion that ‘Empecemos’ does.
Empecemos a la gramática.
When the verb that follows is a noun, use ‘con’; ‘a’ is used when the next word is another verb (e.g., Empecemos a hablar).
em.peˈse.mos kon …
In Spain the ‘c’ before ‘e’ is pronounced /θ/, not /s/. Using the wrong pronunciation can mark you as a non‑native.
↔Alternatives
Comencemos con...
Let's begin with...
Iniciemos con...
Let's initiate with...
Vamos a empezar con...
We are going to start with...
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries the nosotros‑imperative (empecemos, comencemos) sounds more courteous than the simple infinitive ‘empezar con…’. It signals that the speaker values the group's participation. In casual conversation you might hear ‘Vamos a empezar con…’ which is slightly less formal but equally common.