encender
/en-sen-DEHR/
turn on
Encender means 'to turn on,' like flipping a switch to activate a light or device.
encender(verb)
turn on
?devices, lights, electronics
,switch on
?appliances
start
?motor, engine (less common than 'arrancar')
📝 In Action
Por favor, ¿puedes encender la televisión?
A1Please, can you turn on the television?
Siempre enciendo las luces antes de que oscurezca.
A2I always switch on the lights before it gets dark.
Mi coche no enciende por el frío.
B1My car won't start because of the cold.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'E to IE' Trick
In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of 'encender' changes to 'ie' (enciendo). This happens for almost all subjects except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Yo encendo la luz."
Correction: Yo enciendo la luz. (The 'e' must change to 'ie' in the present tense to sound natural.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Simple Switch
For simple household items, 'encender' and 'apagar' (to turn off) are a perfect pair, covering almost every appliance switch you use.
Encender also means 'to light,' often used when starting a fire or lighting a candle.
📝 In Action
Necesitamos leña para encender la fogata.
A2We need firewood to light the bonfire.
Él encendió un cigarrillo después de la cena.
B1He lit a cigarette after dinner.
⭐ Usage Tips
Fire vs. Heat
Use 'encender' for the action of starting the fire itself. Use 'calentar' (to heat up) for the resulting warmth.
Figuratively, encender means 'to ignite' emotions, passions, or debates.
encender(verb)
ignite
?emotions, passions, debates
,arouse
?feelings
stir up
?controversy
📝 In Action
La injusticia encendió la rabia de los manifestantes.
B1The injustice ignited the protesters' rage.
Esa canción siempre me enciende la nostalgia.
B2That song always stirs up nostalgia in me.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In this meaning, 'encender' acts like a mental switch, turning on an intense emotion or reaction in a person or group.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encender
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'encender' in its figurative meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'encender' y 'prender'?
Both mean 'to turn on' or 'to light.' 'Encender' is used everywhere, but 'prender' is extremely common in many parts of Latin America, especially for devices and lights. You can usually use them interchangeably.
How do I say 'The light is on'?
You use the past participle 'encendido' with the verb 'estar': 'La luz está encendida.' Remember to match the ending to the gender of the noun (encendida for 'la luz').