commencer vs entamer
French word comparison
Listen to commencer
Listen to entamer
| commencer | entamer |
|---|---|
/com-men-CER/ verb | //ɑ̃.ta.me// verb |
| to begin; to start | to begin or to embark on, often implying making the first cut/opening or starting a process that will continue |
How they differ
Entamer often implies initiating a process that consumes or alters something (entamer un paquet, entamer des économies) or 'making a start' on a substantial task; it can be more transitive and carry the nuance of 'to open into' or 'to chip away at', whereas commencer is neutral about the manner or effect of starting.
When to use each
When to use commencer: Prefer commencer for a plain statement that something has begun without added nuance about consuming, opening, or initiating a prolonged process.
When to use entamer: Prefer entamer when you mean to 'open' (a package, a bottle) or to start consuming or making progress on something (entamer des réserves, entamer un dossier).
Side-by-side examples
- Elle a commencé un nouveau projet la semaine dernière.
(She started a new project last week.) - Elle a entamé un nouveau projet la semaine dernière.
(She launched/initiated a new project last week.)
Register & nuance: Entamer is common in both spoken and written French and can sound slightly more specific or formal when describing initiating processes or 'opening' something.