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B1 verb #4,000 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

emprender

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At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of emprender: to start something big. While you will mostly use 'empezar' or 'comenzar' for everyday things like starting a class or a game, you can think of emprender when you talk about starting a business. In A1, you might see this word in simple sentences about jobs or travel. For example, 'Yo quiero emprender un negocio' (I want to start a business). It is important to remember that it is a regular -er verb. You conjugate it just like 'comer' (to eat) or 'beber' (to drink). Don't worry too much about all the complex uses yet; just remember it as a special word for starting a company or a long trip. It's a 'grown-up' word for starting. If you see it in a text, look at the noun that follows it. If the noun is 'viaje' (journey) or 'negocio' (business), you know exactly what it means. Try to use it when you talk about your big dreams for the future. Even at A1, using a word like emprender makes you sound more advanced and ambitious. Just avoid using it for small things like 'starting a movie'. Stick to the big stuff, and you will be using it correctly. It's also helpful to recognize the related word 'emprendedor', which means 'entrepreneur'. Many A1 students find this easy to remember because it looks like the English word. So, if you want to be an entrepreneur, you need to 'emprender'. This simple connection will help you keep the word in your vocabulary as you progress to higher levels of Spanish.

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At the A2 level, you can begin to use emprender in a wider variety of simple contexts. You should be comfortable with its past tense (pretérito indefinido) because you often talk about things you have already started. For example, 'El año pasado, mi hermano emprendió un viaje a Europa' (Last year, my brother started a trip to Europe). At this level, you should also notice that emprender is often followed by 'un' or 'una' because it usually refers to a specific project or action. You can use it to describe starting a new hobby that is very serious, or a new phase in your life. 'Emprendí una nueva vida en otra ciudad'. You are also starting to learn more about Spanish culture, where the idea of 'el emprendimiento' (entrepreneurship) is very popular. You might hear people talking about 'ayudas para emprender' (help/grants for starting a business). Another common phrase for A2 is 'emprender el camino', which means to start a journey or literally to start walking on a path. It sounds a bit more poetic than just 'empezar a caminar'. Remember that emprender does not use the preposition 'a' before another verb. This is a very common mistake at A2. You wouldn't say 'emprendí a estudiar', you would say 'emprendí mis estudios'. Focus on using emprender with nouns that represent projects, journeys, or businesses. This will help you distinguish it from the more common 'empezar' and 'comenzar' which you use for more routine activities.

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As a B1 learner, you are expected to understand the nuance of emprender as 'undertaking' a challenge. This level is where the word really becomes useful. You can use it to talk about professional goals, social projects, or complex tasks. For instance, 'Estamos pensando en emprender una campaña de reciclaje en el barrio' (We are thinking about starting a recycling campaign in the neighborhood). You should also be familiar with the word in the subjunctive mood, which is common in B1 when expressing wishes or suggestions. 'Es importante que los jóvenes emprendan sus propios proyectos' (It is important that young people start their own projects). At B1, you will also see emprender in more formal texts, such as news articles or business reports. You might see the phrase 'emprender acciones legales' (to take legal action). This is a very common collocation that you should memorize. You are also moving beyond just 'business' and 'travel'. You can use emprender for intellectual or creative pursuits, such as 'emprender una investigación' (to undertake an investigation) or 'emprender la escritura de una novela' (to undertake the writing of a novel). The word implies a level of commitment and planning that 'empezar' lacks. When you use emprender, you are telling your listener that you are serious about what you are starting and that you recognize it might be difficult. This adds depth to your speaking and writing, allowing you to express more complex intentions and attitudes toward your actions.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use emprender with precision and in more abstract ways. You will encounter it in literature and higher-level journalism. For example, you might read about a character who 'emprende una búsqueda de su identidad' (undertakes a search for their identity). This abstract use is very common in B2. You should also be comfortable with the word in various compound tenses, like the present perfect or the pluperfect. 'Nunca había emprendido un proyecto de tal magnitud' (I had never undertaken a project of such magnitude). You can also use it to describe collective actions, like a government or a community 'emprendiendo una reforma' (undertaking a reform). At this level, you should also be aware of the synonyms and how they differ. You might choose emprender over 'iniciar' to emphasize the effort and initiative involved, or over 'acometer' to sound slightly less technical and more visionary. The concept of 'el espíritu emprendedor' (the entrepreneurial spirit) is a great topic for B2 discussions about the economy and society. You should be able to argue for or against the importance of this spirit in a modern country. You will also hear the word in more idiomatic or fixed expressions, such as 'emprender el vuelo', which can mean a bird taking off or a young person leaving home to start their independent life. Your use of emprender should now reflect a sophisticated understanding of how verbs can convey not just an action, but the attitude and circumstances surrounding that action.

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By the C1 level, emprender should be a natural part of your high-level vocabulary, used to add gravity and intentionality to your speech and writing. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures and in very formal contexts. For example, in an academic essay, you might write, 'La administración decidió emprender una reestructuración profunda de sus departamentos' (The administration decided to undertake a deep restructuring of its departments). You can also use it to describe philosophical or scientific ventures: 'Emprender el análisis de la conciencia humana es una tarea titánica'. At C1, you should also recognize the subtle stylistic choices between emprender and its more obscure synonyms like 'acometer', 'abordar', or 'entablar'. You might use 'entablar' for starting a dialogue, but emprender for starting the actual project that results from that dialogue. You should also be able to use the word in the passive voice correctly in formal reports: 'Las medidas fueron emprendidas con el fin de mitigar los efectos de la inflación'. Your understanding of the word should also include its historical and literary resonances, recognizing it as a word that connects modern business with the epic quests of the past. In debates, you can use emprender to frame an issue as a significant challenge that requires collective will. 'Debemos emprender una lucha global contra la desigualdad'. At this level, the word is not just a verb; it's a tool for framing reality as a series of meaningful and challenging beginnings.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of emprender is complete. You can use it with total flexibility, including its most metaphorical and literary applications. You might use it in a speech to evoke a sense of historical destiny: 'Nuestros antepasados emprendieron la construcción de esta nación con poco más que esperanza'. You understand the full etymological weight of the word—the 'grasping' (prehendere) of an idea or a challenge—and you can use it to convey that sense of 'seizing' in your writing. You can use it in highly technical legal or economic contexts where the specific nuances of 'undertaking' are critical. For example, in a contract, 'las partes se comprometen a emprender las acciones necesarias...' (the parties commit to undertaking the necessary actions...). You also have a keen ear for the word's presence in classical literature, from the Golden Age to the modern era, and you can mimic that style if necessary. You might use emprender to describe the beginning of a complex artistic work, like a symphony or a mural, emphasizing the scale of the creative effort. In C2, you are also aware of how the word has been adopted into modern slang or corporate jargon ('emprendedurismo') and you can use or critique those terms with ease. Your use of emprender is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, characterized by a perfect sense of register, tone, and context. You know when emprender is the only word that will suffice to describe the magnitude of a new beginning.

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A versatile verb meaning to start something significant, often used for business, travel, or complex projects.
Derived from Latin 'in-prehendere', meaning to seize or take in hand, reflecting initiative and action.
Key contexts include entrepreneurship (starting a company), legal actions, and metaphorical journeys of growth.
Grammatically, it is a regular -er verb used transitively, usually followed by a noun rather than another verb.

The Spanish verb emprender is a powerful and versatile word that translates most directly to the English 'to undertake' or 'to start,' but with a specific weight often associated with significant effort, risk, or enterprise. At its core, emprender implies more than just beginning a routine task; it suggests the initiation of a journey, a business venture, or a complex project that requires planning and determination. In the modern Spanish-speaking world, you will most frequently encounter this word in the context of entrepreneurship. An 'emprendedor' is an entrepreneur, and the act of starting a company is 'emprender un negocio.' However, its usage extends far beyond the boardroom. It is used to describe the start of a long trek, the commencement of a legal action, or even the metaphorical 'taking flight' of a bird or a person's career. Understanding emprender requires recognizing the ambition behind the action. It is not merely 'empezar' (to start) or 'comenzar' (to begin), which can be used for trivial things like starting a movie or a meal. You wouldn't usually say 'voy a emprender mi cena' unless you were jokingly suggesting that eating your dinner is a monumental task. Instead, you emprender something that has a clear goal and perhaps some obstacles to overcome.

Business Context: The most common usage today, referring to the creation of a startup or new enterprise.

Travel and Adventure: Used when starting a significant journey, especially one that is long or arduous, like a pilgrimage or an expedition.

Decidió emprender un viaje por toda Sudamérica con solo una mochila y mucha ilusión.

Es el momento perfecto para emprender ese proyecto que siempre has tenido en mente.

Legal and Formal: Often used in news reports to describe the initiation of legal proceedings or reforms.

El gobierno va a emprender reformas estructurales para mejorar la economía nacional.

Muchos jóvenes eligen emprender en el sector tecnológico debido a las oportunidades de crecimiento.

Tras años de estudio, finalmente pudo emprender su carrera como investigadora científica.

Historically, the word comes from the Latin 'in-prehendere', which meant to 'take in hand' or 'seize'. This origin perfectly captures the essence of the word: it's about seizing an opportunity and taking it into your own hands to make it happen. Whether you are starting a small bakery or a multi-national corporation, you are 'emprendiendo'. In social contexts, it carries a connotation of bravery. To 'emprender' is to face the unknown. This is why it is so frequently paired with words like 'aventura' (adventure) or 'desafío' (challenge). When you hear a Spanish speaker use this word, they are usually signaling that what they are starting is important to them and likely requires a significant amount of their energy and resources. It is a word of action, of agency, and of forward momentum.

Using emprender correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a transitive verb, meaning it usually acts upon a direct object. You 'undertake' something. The most common structure is [Subject] + [Conjugated Emprender] + [Noun Phrase]. For example, 'Nosotros emprendemos un viaje' (We undertake a journey). It is also important to note that emprender is a regular verb in most of its forms, following the standard pattern for -er verbs, though it does have some specific nuances in its usage across different tenses. In the present tense, it is 'emprendo, emprendes, emprende, emprendemos, emprendéis, emprenden'. In the past (pretérito), it is 'emprendí, emprendiste, emprendió, emprendimos, emprendisteis, emprendieron'.

The Future Tense: Often used when expressing goals or resolutions. 'El próximo año emprenderé mi propio negocio'.

The Subjunctive Mood: Used when there is doubt, desire, or a recommendation involved. 'Es necesario que el país emprenda nuevas políticas'.

Si tuviera el capital, emprendería una empresa de energías renovables.

Después de la crisis, muchas personas tuvieron que emprender por necesidad.

The Imperative: Used as a call to action, common in motivational speeches. '¡Emprende tu camino hoy mismo!'.

Están emprendiendo una campaña de concienciación sobre el cambio climático.

No es fácil emprender acciones legales contra una gran corporación.

El ave emprendió el vuelo al amanecer, buscando climas más cálidos.

When using emprender in a sentence, think about the scale of the action. If you are describing the start of a new life in another country, emprender is the perfect verb. 'Emprendió una nueva vida en México'. If you are describing the start of a difficult negotiation, use it there too: 'Emprendieron las negociaciones con cautela'. The verb also appears in the passive voice in formal writing: 'Fue emprendida una investigación exhaustiva'. This highlights the action of the investigation being 'undertaken' by an authority. In everyday conversation, you might hear '¿Te atreverías a emprender?' which means 'Would you dare to start a business?'. The noun being started is implied here because the business context is so dominant. Overall, the sentence structure is straightforward, but the choice of the word emprender itself adds a layer of seriousness and commitment to whatever is being started. It's a 'heavy' verb that carries the weight of responsibility and the spark of initiative.

You will encounter emprender in several distinct environments, each giving the word a slightly different flavor. The most common place today is in the media, specifically in business and technology news. Headlines like 'Cómo emprender sin capital' (How to start a business without capital) or 'Los retos de emprender en España' (The challenges of being an entrepreneur in Spain) are ubiquitous. In these contexts, emprender is almost synonymous with the startup world. You'll hear it in podcasts, at networking events, and in university business courses. It’s a word associated with innovation, risk-taking, and the 'hustle' culture of the 21st century.

The Startup Scene: Used constantly in incubators, accelerators, and business news to describe the act of launching a company.

Literature and Epic Narratives: In classic literature like 'Don Quijote de la Mancha', 'emprender' is used when the knight-errant starts his quests or adventures.

En el mundo de los negocios, emprender requiere más que una buena idea; requiere ejecución.

El caballero decidió emprender una búsqueda épica para encontrar el tesoro perdido.

Journalism and Politics: Politicians often use it to sound proactive. 'Vamos a emprender un plan de choque contra el desempleo'.

Muchos inmigrantes deciden emprender el camino hacia el norte en busca de una vida mejor.

Es valiente emprender una lucha contra la injusticia social en estos tiempos.

Al jubilarse, mi abuelo quiso emprender el estudio de la historia del arte.

Beyond these formal settings, you'll hear emprender in daily life when people talk about their personal ambitions. A friend might say, 'He decidido emprender un cambio radical en mi dieta' (I've decided to undertake a radical change in my diet). Here, the word elevates a simple diet change to a serious project. You'll also hear it in nature documentaries: 'Las aves migratorias se preparan para emprender su largo viaje'. In this sense, it feels natural and instinctive. Finally, in legal settings, 'emprender acciones legales' is the standard way to say someone is suing or taking someone to court. It sounds much more professional and formal than saying 'voy a poner una demanda'. Because the word spans from the epic adventures of knights to the modern struggles of startup founders and the formal procedures of law, it is a word that carries a sense of importance and gravity wherever it is heard. It’s a word that demands attention because it usually precedes something big.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning emprender is using it as a direct synonym for 'to start' (empezar) in every situation. While 'to start' can be used for almost anything, emprender is reserved for tasks that are significant, planned, or difficult. For example, saying 'Voy a emprender la televisión' to mean 'I am going to start the TV' is incorrect and would sound very strange to a native speaker. You should use 'encender' or 'poner' for electronics. Similarly, 'Voy a emprender a correr' is grammatically incorrect. Emprender is almost never used with 'a + infinitive' like 'empezar a' or 'comenzar a'. It requires a direct object, usually a noun.

Mistake: Emprender + Verb: Incorrect: Emprendí a leer el libro. Correct: Empecé a leer el libro or Emprendí la lectura del libro.

Mistake: Trivial Tasks: Incorrect: Voy a emprender mi desayuno. Correct: Voy a empezar mi desayuno or Voy a desayunar.

Incorrecto: El niño emprendió a llorar. Correcto: El niño empezó a llorar.

Incorrecto: Emprendimos la luz. Correcto: Encendimos la luz.

Mistake: False Friend 'Undertaker': In English, an 'undertaker' is someone who manages funerals. In Spanish, an 'emprendedor' is a businessman. Never use 'emprendedor' for a funeral director.

Incorrecto: Ella es emprendedora de funerales. Correcto: Ella es directora funeraria.

Incorrecto: Quiero emprender español. Correcto: Quiero aprender español.

Incorrecto: Emprende el coche. Correcto: Arranca el coche.

Another nuance is the confusion with 'iniciar'. While 'iniciar' and emprender are often interchangeable, 'iniciar' is more neutral and technical. You 'iniciar una sesión' (start a session/log in) on a computer, but you wouldn't 'emprender una sesión'. Emprender implies a human element of initiative and courage. Finally, be careful with the word 'empresa'. While 'empresa' means company, it also means 'task' or 'feat'. If someone says 'Esa es una gran empresa', they might mean 'That is a great company' or 'That is a huge undertaking'. If you use emprender, you are performing that 'empresa'. Avoid using emprender for physical movement unless it's the start of a long journey. Don't say 'Emprendí hacia la cocina' to mean you walked to the kitchen. Just say 'Fui a la cocina'. By keeping emprender for the big, meaningful starts, you'll sound much more like a native speaker and avoid these common pitfalls.

Spanish is rich with verbs that mean 'to start', and choosing the right one depends entirely on the context. Emprender sits at the top of the hierarchy of formality and scale. Below it, we find empezar and comenzar, which are the most common and versatile. You can use empezar for everything from starting a book to starting a fire. Comenzar is slightly more formal than empezar but still very general. Then there is iniciar, which is often used in administrative, technical, or formal contexts, such as 'iniciar un trámite' (start a procedure).

Emprender vs. Iniciar: Emprender implies personal risk and initiative. Iniciar is more objective and procedural. You emprender a business, but you iniciar a session on a website.

Emprender vs. Fundar: Fundar means 'to found' or 'to establish'. While you emprender a project, you fundar an institution or a city. Fundar is about the creation of something permanent.

Para emprender un negocio no solo necesitas dinero, sino también mucha paciencia.

Decidieron acometer la reforma integral de la casa vieja.

Acometer: A very formal synonym often used for construction or large-scale physical tasks. It suggests tackling a difficult job head-on.

El director va a entablar una conversación seria con los empleados.

Es hora de arrancar con el proyecto de marketing.

Vamos a abordar el problema desde una perspectiva diferente.

Another interesting alternative is abordar, which means 'to board' (like a ship) but also 'to tackle' or 'to address' a problem. You 'abordar un tema' (address a topic). If you want to sound more casual, you can use arrancar, which literally means 'to pull out' or 'to start an engine'. In business, people often say 'Vamos a arrancar el proyecto' to mean 'Let's get the project moving'. For creative endeavors, you might use gestar (to gestate/develop), which implies the slow, careful starting of an idea. For example, 'Se está gestando una revolución'. Each of these words carries a different nuance of speed, formality, and physical action. Emprender remains the gold standard for describing the start of something that defines a person’s path or a company’s future. It is the verb of the visionary and the adventurer. By learning these alternatives, you can choose the precise 'start' that fits your specific situation, moving from the basic 'empezar' to the sophisticated 'acometer' or the entrepreneurial 'emprender'.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The English word 'entrepreneur' comes from the French 'entreprendre', which shares the exact same Latin root as the Spanish 'emprender'. They are linguistic cousins!

Aussprachehilfe

UK /em.pɾen.ˈdeɾ/

US /em.pɾen.ˈdeɾ/

The stress is on the final syllable: em-pren-DER.

Reimt sich auf

aprender vender beber comer perder creer leer ver

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'p' with a puff of air (aspiration).
Stressing the first or second syllable instead of the last.
Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd' in 'dog'.
Confusing the 'r' with an English 'r' sound.
Nasalizing the 'en' too much like in French.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its similarity to 'entrepreneur'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of when it is appropriate vs. 'empezar'.

Sprechen 3/5

Natural usage requires understanding the 'weight' of the word.

Hören 2/5

Usually clear, but don't confuse with 'aprender'.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

empezar comenzar negocio viaje trabajo

Als Nächstes lernen

gestionar invertir desarrollar liderar innovar

Fortgeschritten

acometer pergeñar fraguar instaurar

Wichtige Grammatik

Transitive Verb Usage

Emprender always needs an object: 'Emprendo un viaje' (Correct), 'Emprendo a viajar' (Incorrect).

Subjunctive for Intentions

Quiero que emprendas este camino.

Pretérito Indefinido for Completed Actions

Ayer emprendieron la marcha.

Conditional for Hypothetical Ventures

Yo emprendería si tuviera socios.

Gerund for Ongoing Tasks

Estamos emprendiendo una nueva fase.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Yo quiero emprender un negocio de ropa.

I want to start a clothing business.

Present tense, first person singular.

Mi padre emprende un viaje mañana.

My father starts a trip tomorrow.

Present tense, third person singular.

Ellos emprenden un proyecto escolar.

They start a school project.

Present tense, third person plural.

¿Quieres emprender algo nuevo?

Do you want to start something new?

Question form with 'querer'.

Nosotros emprendemos una aventura hoy.

We start an adventure today.

Present tense, first person plural.

Ella emprende su carrera en Madrid.

She starts her career in Madrid.

Present tense, third person singular.

Es bueno emprender con amigos.

It is good to start a business with friends.

Infinitive form after 'es bueno'.

Tú emprendes un camino largo.

You start a long path.

Present tense, second person singular.

El año pasado emprendí mi propia empresa.

Last year I started my own company.

Pretérito indefinido, first person singular.

Ellos emprendieron el viaje a la montaña.

They started the trip to the mountain.

Pretérito indefinido, third person plural.

Mi abuelo emprendió un nuevo pasatiempo.

My grandfather started a new hobby.

Pretérito indefinido, third person singular.

Estamos listos para emprender la búsqueda.

We are ready to start the search.

Infinitive after 'listos para'.

Ella emprendió una dieta muy estricta.

She started a very strict diet.

Pretérito indefinido, third person singular.

Nunca es tarde para emprender un sueño.

It's never too late to start a dream.

Infinitive as a subject complement.

¿Por qué emprendiste ese negocio?

Why did you start that business?

Pretérito indefinido, second person singular.

Emprendimos el regreso a casa tarde.

We started the return home late.

Pretérito indefinido, first person plural.

Espero que emprendas este proyecto con éxito.

I hope you start this project successfully.

Present subjunctive after 'espero que'.

Decidieron emprender acciones legales contra el banco.

They decided to take legal action against the bank.

Infinitive after 'decidieron'.

Si tuviera dinero, emprendería una fundación.

If I had money, I would start a foundation.

Conditional tense.

Muchos jóvenes emprenden por falta de empleo.

Many young people start businesses due to lack of jobs.

Intransitive use of the verb.

El gobierno va a emprender una reforma educativa.

The government is going to undertake an educational reform.

Future with 'ir a'.

Es necesario que la empresa emprenda cambios.

It is necessary for the company to undertake changes.

Present subjunctive after 'es necesario que'.

Emprendieron una campaña para salvar el parque.

They started a campaign to save the park.

Pretérito indefinido, third person plural.

No es fácil emprender en un mercado competitivo.

It's not easy to start a business in a competitive market.

Infinitive after 'no es fácil'.

Había emprendido el vuelo antes del amanecer.

It had taken flight before dawn.

Pretérito pluscuamperfecto.

El autor emprende un análisis profundo de la sociedad.

The author undertakes a deep analysis of society.

Present tense, metaphorical use.

Dudo que emprendan la reforma este año.

I doubt they will undertake the reform this year.

Present subjunctive after 'dudo que'.

Se han emprendido diversas iniciativas culturales.

Various cultural initiatives have been undertaken.

Pasiva refleja with 'se'.

Para emprender, hay que tener una visión clara.

To be an entrepreneur, one must have a clear vision.

Infinitive used as a general condition.

Emprenderemos la marcha en cuanto deje de llover.

We will start the march as soon as it stops raining.

Future tense with 'en cuanto' + subjunctive.

Fue una empresa difícil de emprender.

It was a difficult undertaking to start.

Noun 'empresa' used as 'undertaking'.

Ella siempre ha tenido un espíritu de emprender.

She has always had a spirit of entrepreneurship.

Pretérito perfecto.

La institución ha de emprender una renovación total.

The institution must undertake a total renovation.

Periphrasis 'haber de' + infinitive.

Emprender la búsqueda de la verdad es el fin de la filosofía.

Undertaking the search for truth is the goal of philosophy.

Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.

Resulta imperativo emprender políticas de sostenibilidad.

It is imperative to undertake sustainability policies.

Formal structure with 'resulta imperativo'.

Tras el exilio, emprendió la reconstrucción de su hogar.

After the exile, he undertook the reconstruction of his home.

Pretérito indefinido, formal context.

No se puede emprender una tarea así sin preparación.

One cannot undertake such a task without preparation.

Impersonal 'se' with modal verb.

El científico emprendió un estudio pionero en genética.

The scientist undertook a pioneering study in genetics.

Pretérito indefinido, academic context.

Me pregunto si habrán emprendido ya las negociaciones.

I wonder if they have already undertaken the negotiations.

Future perfect of probability.

Emprender el vuelo hacia lo desconocido requiere valor.

Taking flight into the unknown requires courage.

Metaphorical use in high register.

Es de vital importancia que se emprendan acciones coordinadas.

It is of vital importance that coordinated actions are undertaken.

Passive subjunctive in formal structure.

Emprender la exégesis de este texto requiere años de estudio.

Undertaking the exegesis of this text requires years of study.

Technical vocabulary (exégesis).

Cualquier proyecto que emprendamos debe ser ético.

Any project we undertake must be ethical.

Subjunctive in relative clause.

La empresa que decidió emprender resultó ser su ruina.

The undertaking he decided to start turned out to be his ruin.

Double meaning of 'empresa'.

Emprender el camino de la virtud no es tarea sencilla.

Undertaking the path of virtue is no simple task.

Philosophical register.

Se emprendieron las obras con una celeridad asombrosa.

The works were undertaken with astonishing speed.

Pasiva refleja with high-level vocabulary (celeridad).

El protagonista emprende un periplo por su memoria.

The protagonist undertakes a journey through his memory.

Literary use (periplo).

Había que emprender una lucha sin cuartel contra la corrupción.

A fight without quarter had to be undertaken against corruption.

Idiomatic expression (lucha sin cuartel).

Häufige Kollokationen

emprender un negocio

emprender un viaje

emprender acciones legales

emprender el vuelo

emprender una reforma

emprender una búsqueda

emprender un proyecto

emprender una carrera

emprender el regreso

emprender una aventura

Häufige Phrasen

espíritu emprendedor

— The mindset or quality of being an entrepreneur. It refers to someone who is proactive and takes risks.

Ese joven tiene un gran espíritu emprendedor.

ganas de emprender

— The desire or motivation to start a new project or business.

Tengo muchas ganas de emprender algo por mi cuenta.

ayuda para emprender

— Government or private grants and support for new business owners.

Solicitó una ayuda para emprender su pequeño taller.

emprender por cuenta propia

— To start a business or work as a freelancer/self-employed person.

Dejó su trabajo para emprender por cuenta propia.

atreverse a emprender

— To have the courage to start a difficult task or business.

Pocos se atreven a emprender en tiempos de crisis.

emprender con éxito

— To successfully launch and run a project or business.

Su objetivo es emprender con éxito en el extranjero.

emprender un cambio

— To initiate a significant transformation in one's life or organization.

Es hora de emprender un cambio radical en la empresa.

emprender el camino

— To start a journey or begin a process.

Emprendieron el camino hacia la cima de la montaña.

emprender una lucha

— To start a fight or campaign for a cause.

Decidieron emprender una lucha por sus derechos.

emprender un estudio

— To begin a formal investigation or academic research.

La universidad va a emprender un estudio sobre el clima.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

emprender vs aprender

Means 'to learn'. The only difference is the first letter 'a' vs 'e'.

emprender vs empezar

Means 'to start'. Empezar is for everything; emprender is for big things.

emprender vs sorprender

Means 'to surprise'. It shares the 'prender' root but has a different prefix.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"emprender las de Villadiego"

— To flee or run away quickly from a situation.

Cuando vio a la policía, emprendió las de Villadiego.

informal/old-fashioned

"emprender el vuelo"

— To leave home to live independently or to start a new phase in life.

Mis hijos ya han emprendido el vuelo y viven solos.

metaphorical

"emprenderla con alguien"

— To start an argument with someone or to pick on someone.

No sé por qué la ha emprendido conmigo hoy.

informal

"emprender un camino sin retorno"

— To make a decision that cannot be undone.

Al firmar ese contrato, emprendió un camino sin retorno.

literary

"emprender una quijotada"

— To undertake an idealistic but impractical or impossible task (like Don Quixote).

Intentar cambiar el sistema solo es emprender una quijotada.

literary

"emprender a ciegas"

— To start something without any information or preparation.

No deberías emprender ese negocio a ciegas.

informal

"emprender con el pie derecho"

— To start a project or journey with good luck or in a positive way.

Esperamos emprender esta nueva etapa con el pie derecho.

informal

"emprender la retirada"

— To start retreating or backing out of a situation.

Viendo que no ganarían, decidieron emprender la retirada.

formal/military

"emprender un nuevo rumbo"

— To change direction in life or business significantly.

Tras el divorcio, decidió emprender un nuevo rumbo.

neutral

"emprender la marcha"

— To set off or start moving/walking.

El pelotón emprendió la marcha a primera hora.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

emprender vs aprender

Phonetic similarity.

Aprender is to acquire knowledge; emprender is to start a project.

Quiero aprender español para emprender un negocio en España.

emprender vs prender

It is the root verb.

Prender usually means to turn on (light) or to arrest. Emprender is to undertake.

Prendió la luz antes de emprender la lectura.

emprender vs comenzar

Synonym.

Comenzar is more general; emprender implies more effort and risk.

Comenzó a llover cuando emprendimos el viaje.

emprender vs iniciar

Synonym.

Iniciar is technical/procedural; emprender is entrepreneurial/visionary.

Inició la sesión para emprender el diseño del logo.

emprender vs empresa

Related noun.

Empresa is the 'what' (the entity); emprender is the 'how' (the action of starting it).

Emprender una empresa es un reto.

Satzmuster

Yo quiero emprender [negocio].

Yo quiero emprender un negocio.

[Persona] emprendió [viaje].

Juan emprendió un viaje.

Es bueno que [persona] emprenda [proyecto].

Es bueno que tú emprendas un proyecto.

Se han emprendido [acciones].

Se han emprendido acciones legales.

Resulta necesario emprender [reforma].

Resulta necesario emprender una reforma fiscal.

Emprender [tarea] supone [consecuencia].

Emprender esta tarea supone un gran riesgo.

Decidir emprender [camino].

Decidió emprender el camino de la paz.

Listo para emprender [aventura].

Estoy listo para emprender una aventura.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

emprendedor (entrepreneur)

emprendimiento (entrepreneurship)

empresa (company/undertaking)

emprendedora (female entrepreneur)

Verben

emprender (to undertake)

Adjektive

emprendedor (enterprising)

empresarial (business-related)

Verwandt

aprendizaje

aprendiz

prendedor

prensa

sorprender

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in business, news, and formal writing; moderate in daily speech.

Häufige Fehler

Emprender a estudiar. → Empezar a estudiar.
Emprender cannot be followed by 'a' and an infinitive.
Voy a emprender la radio. → Voy a encender la radio.
Emprender is for projects, not for turning on appliances.
Quiero aprender un negocio. → Quiero emprender un negocio.
Confusing 'aprender' (to learn) with 'emprender' (to start).
Emprendió hacia la puerta. → Fue hacia la puerta.
Emprender is not a verb of simple physical movement.
Es un emprendedor de pompas fúnebres. → Es un director funerario.
English 'undertaker' does not translate to 'emprendedor'.

Tipps

No Prepositions

Remember that 'emprender' connects directly to the noun. Do not put 'a' or 'de' after it. Say 'emprender un viaje', not 'emprender a un viaje'.

Business Context

If you are in a business meeting, using 'emprender' makes you sound professional and proactive.

Stress the End

The last syllable is the strongest. Practice saying 'em-pren-DER' multiple times to get the rhythm right.

Startup Culture

In Latin America, 'emprender' is a buzzword. Knowing this word will help you understand social media and news in the region.

Elevate Your Writing

In your Spanish writing assignments, replace 'empezar un proyecto' with 'emprender un proyecto' to immediately raise your CEFR level.

The 'Entrepreneur' Link

Since the English word 'entrepreneur' and 'emprender' share a root, always think of them together.

News Keywords

When listening to Spanish news, 'emprender' is often a keyword that signals a new government initiative or business trend.

Scale Matters

Use 'emprender' for things that take more than a day. If it takes five minutes, use 'empezar'.

Legal Action

Memorize the phrase 'emprender acciones legales'. It's a set phrase you'll see in contracts and news.

Metaphorical Flight

Use 'emprender el vuelo' when talking about birds or people starting new, independent lives.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'EM-PREN-DER' as 'I'M-PLAN-DER'. You are 'planning' and 'doing' (der) a big project. Or link it to 'Entrepreneur'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person standing at the base of a huge mountain with a business plan in their hand, ready to climb.

Word Web

Negocio Viaje Proyecto Dinero Riesgo Inicio Aventura Éxito

Herausforderung

Write down three things you would like to emprender in the next five years. Use the future tense.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin verb 'inprehendere', formed by 'in-' (in) and 'prehendere' (to seize, to grasp).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To seize or take hold of something physically.

Romance (Latin)

Kultureller Kontext

Be aware that 'emprender' can sometimes be associated with the struggle of migrants (emprender el camino), which is a sensitive topic.

In English, we often use 'start' or 'launch'. 'Undertake' sounds very formal. 'Emprender' is more common in Spanish than 'undertake' is in English.

Don Quijote de la Mancha (often undertakes adventures). Steve Jobs (frequently cited in Spanish articles about 'emprender'). The 'Camino de Santiago' (a journey many 'emprenden').

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Business

emprender un negocio
espíritu emprendedor
emprender sin capital
emprender en solitario

Travel

emprender un viaje
emprender el camino
emprender el regreso
emprender una expedición

Legal

emprender acciones legales
emprender una demanda
emprender un proceso
emprender una investigación

Personal Growth

emprender un cambio
emprender estudios
emprender una nueva vida
emprender un reto

Politics

emprender reformas
emprender una campaña
emprender medidas
emprender un diálogo

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Alguna vez has pensado en emprender tu propio negocio?"

"¿Qué tipo de proyecto te gustaría emprender si tuvieras todo el tiempo del mundo?"

"¿Crees que es arriesgado emprender en la economía actual?"

"Si pudieras emprender un viaje a cualquier lugar, ¿a dónde irías?"

"¿Qué cualidades crees que necesita una persona para emprender con éxito?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe un proyecto que hayas emprendido en el pasado y qué aprendiste de esa experiencia.

Escribe sobre los desafíos que enfrentarías si decidieras emprender un negocio en un país extranjero.

Reflexiona sobre la diferencia entre 'empezar algo' y 'emprender algo' en tu propia vida.

Si tuvieras que emprender un cambio radical en tu rutina diaria, ¿cuál sería y por qué?

Imagina que vas a emprender una expedición a un lugar desconocido. ¿Qué llevarías contigo?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but only if the hobby is a serious commitment. If you are just starting to play video games, use 'empezar'. If you are starting a serious study of classical piano, 'emprender' works.

No, it's also common for journeys (emprender un viaje) and legal actions (emprender acciones legales). However, business is the most common modern context.

'Emprender' is the whole process of starting and running a venture. 'Lanzar' is specifically the moment of releasing a product or starting a project publicly.

No, that is a common mistake. Use 'empezar a' or 'comenzar a'. 'Emprender' must be followed by a noun.

Usually, yes. But it can also describe someone who is very active and full of initiative in their personal life.

The most common word is 'emprendimiento'. In some academic contexts, you might hear 'emprendedurismo', but it's less common.

Yes, it follows the standard conjugation for regular -er verbs in all tenses.

Use 'acometer' for physical tasks like construction or when you want to sound very formal and emphasize the 'attack' on a problem.

No, it is not used reflexively. You can use the passive 'se' (se han emprendido), but the verb itself is transitive.

It's less common than 'empezar', but very common when talking about work, travel plans, or serious life changes.

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