BajaNomad

Don't get me started!

pauldavidmena - 8-21-2023 at 07:18 AM

WordReference lists three Spanish translations of the English word "start", namely "empezar," "comenzar," and "iniciar," whereas the SpanishDictionary word of the day was "arrancar," which seems to be used more commonly to start a car or reboot a computer. What I don't know is whether this usage is common in Mexico, or more likely in mainland Spain.

RFClark - 8-21-2023 at 10:37 AM

Paul,

My program suggests arrancar relates more to a car pulling out onto a road or away from a stop sign.

It also suggests that it’s Portuguese.

[Edited on 8-21-2023 by RFClark]

Don Jorge - 8-21-2023 at 11:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
WordReference lists three Spanish translations of the English word "start", namely "empezar," "comenzar," and "iniciar," whereas the SpanishDictionary word of the day was "arrancar," which seems to be used more commonly to start a car or reboot a computer. What I don't know is whether this usage is common in Mexico, or more likely in mainland Spain.

Arrancar el carro. In Baja arrancar is used as in to start the car. A starter in Baja is called an arrancadora.

To turn on a computer or other machine I was taught to use the verb prender. Prendes la maquina por favor.

The deeper one goes into learning a second language the farther behind one becomes in truly attaining fluency in that second language.

pauldavidmena - 8-21-2023 at 11:25 AM

I always thought that arrancar sounded like a car's ignition trying to turn over. :?:

[Edited on 8-21-2023 by pauldavidmena]

SFandH - 8-21-2023 at 02:54 PM

Me arranque!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bv6KfnuepA



[Edited on 8-21-2023 by SFandH]

pacificobob - 8-21-2023 at 03:38 PM

The auto part English speakers call the "starter" = arrancadora in my experience.

azucena - 8-22-2023 at 09:12 PM

Here is my take on the nitty gritty contexts of these verbs:
Comenzar refers to starting something like a class, la clase comenza manana, and may be more associated with when something will begin.
Iniciar refers more to starting something new, an idea. El jefe inicia un horario diferente por los emp!eados.
Prender is more akin to turning something on, prenda la luz porfavor.
while empezar is more an action of beginning something. El empiece aprender Espanol.
But I am Interested in hearing what others interpretations might be