iniziano

Iniziano is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Italian verb iniziare, meaning they begin or they start. It refers to actions that begin in the present or near-present and is used with plural subjects; the subject pronoun is usually implicit in Italian.

Used generically: I lavori iniziano domani (The works start tomorrow). I ragazzi iniziano a studiare (The boys begin to study). The construction iniziano a + infinitive is common to indicate the onset of an action.

Conjugation note: iniziare is a regular -are verb. In the present tense, the forms are: io inizio, tu inizi, lui/lei inizia, noi iniziamo, voi iniziate, loro iniziano. The form iniziano corresponds to loro (they).

Etymology: the verb iniziare derives from the noun inizio, meaning beginning, which in turn comes from Latin initium, the origin of related words such as initial and initiative in various languages.

Usage notes: In fiction or journalism, iniziano can report ongoing processes or the start of events. It can be contrasted with inizia (3rd singular), inizieranno (future), or iniziato (past participle). It is not used as an adjective.

Translations and synonyms: translate as begin or start. Common synonyms include cominciare, avviare, dare inizio. Typical collocations include iniziano a + infinitive, iniziano un progetto, iniziano le lezioni.