General meaning:
* Commencer: This is the most common and general way to say "to start." It can be used in most situations.
* Example: "Je vais commencer à travailler" (I'm going to start working).
Specific situations:
* Démarrer: This is used for things that "start" in a more technical sense, like a car or a machine.
* Example: "La voiture a démarré" (The car started).
* Se mettre à: This is used when you start doing something, especially something new or unexpected.
* Example: "Il s'est mis à pleuvoir" (It started raining).
* Lancer: This is used for "starting" something like a project or a business.
* Example: "Ils ont lancé une nouvelle entreprise" (They started a new business).
* Entamer: This is used for "starting" something that will take a long time, like a conversation or a journey.
* Example: "Nous avons entamé une discussion" (We started a conversation).
Other options:
* Aller: This can be used with the infinitive of the verb to express the idea of "starting" an action.
* Example: "Il va chanter" (He's going to start singing).
* Mettre en route: This means to "start" something that is usually stopped or inactive.
* Example: "Mettre en route le moteur" (Start the engine).
Choosing the right phrase depends on the context and the specific meaning you want to convey.