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Spanish Phrase

Empiezo a trabajar a las 9 de la mañana.

/emˈpjeθo a tɾabaˈxaɾ a las ˈnweβe de la maˈɲana/
Meaning"I start working at 9 in the morning."
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Meaning

I start working at nine in the morning. The verb ‘empezar a’ signals the beginning of an activity, so it’s not just ‘I go to work’, but ‘I begin my workday’. The time phrase makes the schedule precise.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you’re describing your daily routine, telling a colleague or friend your start time, or answering a question about your work schedule.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Empiezoatrabajaralas9delamañana

1

Empezar (present 1st person)

‘Empiezo’ is the first‑person singular present of ‘empezar’, meaning ‘I start’ or ‘I begin’.

2

‘a + infinitive’

When ‘empezar’ is followed by another verb, it requires the preposition ‘a’ before the infinitive.

3

Time expression ‘a las …’

Use ‘a’ + article + number to indicate a specific hour (e.g., ‘a las 9’ = at nine o’clock).

4

Part of day ‘de la mañana’

Add ‘de la mañana’, ‘de la tarde’ or ‘de la noche’ to clarify whether the hour is AM or PM.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿A qué hora empiezas a trabajar?

What time do you start working?

Empiezo a trabajar a las 9 de la mañana.

I start working at nine in the morning.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Empiezo trabajar a las 9 de la mañana.

    The preposition ‘a’ is required after ‘empezar’ when it’s followed by another verb.

  • Empiezo a trabajar a 9 de la mañana.

    When stating a specific hour you must use the article ‘las’ (a las 9).

  • Empiezo a trabajar a las 9 de la tarde.

    Using ‘de la tarde’ would change the meaning to ‘in the afternoon’, which is inaccurate for a morning start time.

↔Alternatives

  • Comienzo a trabajar a las 9 de la mañana.

    I begin working at nine in the morning.

  • Empiezo mi jornada a las 9 de la mañana.

    I start my shift at nine in the morning.

  • Trabajo a partir de las 9 de la mañana.

    I work from nine in the morning onward.

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Cultural Tip

In most Spanish‑speaking countries people specify ‘de la mañana’, ‘de la tarde’ or ‘de la noche’ to avoid confusion, especially when using the 12‑hour clock. In formal contexts (e.g., timetables) the 24‑hour format (09:00) is common, but in everyday conversation you’ll hear the full phrase as shown above.