começar

[kuh-meh-SAHR]

verb

to begin, to start

1. to initiate or commence an action, event, or process

I will start working tomorrow.

Vou começar a trabalhar amanhã.

2. to take the first step in doing something

She began her career as a teacher.

Ela começou sua carreira como professora.

3. to originate or have its origin

The river begins in the mountains.

O rio começa nas montanhas.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

começar

Standard usage across Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

começar

No significant regional variation

São Paulo

começar

No significant regional variation

Portugal

começar

Standard European Portuguese, identical usage

começar do zero - to start from scratch

começar a vida - to start a new life

começar pelo começo - to begin at the beginning

começar com o pé direito - to get off on the right foot

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