apaga
/ah-PAH-gah/
turns off
Apaga means 'turns off' when referring to lights or devices.
apaga(verb)
turns off
?devices, lights
,switches off
?appliances
extinguishes
?fire, flame
,shuts down
?engine, system
📝 In Action
Ella siempre apaga la televisión antes de estudiar.
A1She always turns off the television before studying.
El sistema se apaga automáticamente si hay un error.
B1The system shuts down automatically if there is an error.
Usted apaga la luz al salir de la oficina, ¿verdad?
A2You (formal) turn off the light when leaving the office, right?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'G' to 'GU' Change
When conjugating 'apagar' in certain forms (like the preterite 'yo' form: 'apagué'), the 'g' changes to 'gu'. This change is only there to make sure the 'g' keeps its hard sound, like in the English word 'gate'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Subject Forms
Mistake: "Using 'apaga' when you mean 'I turn off' ('yo apaga')."
Correction: Remember 'apaga' is reserved for 'he/she/it' or formal 'you' (usted). For 'I', you must use 'apago'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Se'
You can use 'se apaga' to describe an action happening without focusing on who did it (e.g., 'La luz se apaga' - The light turns itself off). This is useful when the agent is unknown or unimportant.
Used as an informal command, ¡Apaga! means 'Turn off!'.
📝 In Action
¡Apaga la luz cuando salgas de la habitación!
A1Turn off the light when you leave the room!
Apaga el cigarrillo, por favor. Estamos dentro.
B1Put out the cigarette, please. We are inside.
Apaga el móvil antes de empezar la película.
A2Turn off your cell phone before the movie starts.
💡 Grammar Points
Affirmative Tú Command Trick
The informal positive command ('tú') is identical to the 'él/ella/usted' form in the present tense. This means 'He turns off' and 'Turn off!' (to a friend) both use 'apaga'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong command form
Mistake: "Using 'apague' when speaking informally to a friend."
Correction: Use 'apaga' for friends and family (tú). Reserve 'apague' for formal situations (usted).
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Pronouns
When using 'apaga' as a command, attach short words like 'lo' (it) or 'la' (it) directly to the end and add an accent mark: 'Apágalo' (Turn it off).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: apaga
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'apaga' as a direct command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'apaga' used only for electricity?
No. While it's very common for lights and devices, 'apaga' (from 'apagar') is also used for extinguishing fires, turning off engines, or even figuratively to 'quench' thirst.