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How to Say "turn on" in Spanish

English → Spanish

encender

en-sen-DEHR/en.senˈdeɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'encender' for general purposes when turning on lights, electronic devices, or appliances.
A cartoon hand is shown flipping a wall light switch from the off position to the on position, causing a bright light bulb above it to glow.

Examples

Por favor, ¿puedes encender la televisión?

Please, can you turn on the television?

Siempre enciendo las luces antes de que oscurezca.

I always switch on the lights before it gets dark.

Mi coche no enciende por el frío.

My car won't start because of the cold.

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'.

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.)

enciende

en-SYEN-de/enˈsjen̪.d̪e/

verbA1informal command
Use 'enciende' when giving an informal command (tú form) to turn something on.
A person's hand pressing a large, colorful button to turn on a bright light bulb.

Examples

Ella siempre enciende la radio cuando cocina.

She always turns on the radio when she cooks.

Disculpe, ¿usted enciende el aire acondicionado?

Excuse me, are you turning on the air conditioning?

¡Enciende la pantalla para ver la película!

Turn on the screen to watch the movie!

Dual Role of Enciende

This single form, 'enciende', can mean two things: 'he/she/it turns on' (describing an action) OR 'turn on!' (a direct command to 'tú').

Stem Change (e > ie)

The vowel 'e' in the middle of the verb 'encender' changes to 'ie' in most forms, except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Usando 'él encende' en lugar de 'él enciende'.”

Correction: Always remember the 'e' becomes 'ie' when the stress falls on that syllable: 'enciende'.

pon

/pon//pon/

verbA2informal command
Use 'pon' as an informal command (tú form) to turn on appliances or devices, often implying a more active choice.
A finger pressing a glowing green power button on a simple, rounded white lamp, illustrating the action of activation.

Examples

¡Pon la televisión, por favor! Quiero ver las noticias.

Turn on the TV, please! I want to watch the news.

¡Pon mucha crema solar! El sol está muy fuerte.

Put on a lot of sunscreen! The sun is very strong.

Pon tu alarma para las siete de la mañana.

Set your alarm for seven in the morning.

Using 'Poner' for Technology

In many Spanish-speaking regions, 'poner' (pon) is the most common verb used to tell someone to turn on a TV, radio, or music, instead of the more literal 'encender'.

ponga

/pon-ga//ˈpoŋɡa/

verbB1formal command
Use 'ponga' as a formal command (usted form) to turn on or play appliances or media.
A finger pressing a switch on a simple desk lamp, causing the lamp to immediately illuminate and cast warm light.

Examples

Ponga su canción favorita ahora.

Play your favorite song now (formal command).

El doctor sugirió que ponga hielo en la rodilla.

The doctor suggested that I/he put ice on the knee (Subjunctive necessity).

Si usted no ponga interés, no lo entenderá.

If you don't apply interest, you won't understand it.

Indirect Commands for Media

In Spanish, you don't 'turn on' music; you 'put' the radio or music on. Use 'ponga' for this formal instruction: 'Ponga la radio' (Turn on the radio).

Literal Translation of 'turn on'

Mistake: “Encienda la música.”

Correction: Ponga la música. (While 'encender' means to turn on, 'poner' is much more natural when referring to playing media.)

pongan

POHN-gahn/ˈpoŋ.ɡan/

verbB1plural command
Use 'pongan' as a plural command (ustedes form) to turn on or play devices or appliances.
A finger pressing a switch to turn on a bright yellow table lamp, causing illumination.

Examples

¡Que pongan la música ya!

They should play the music already!

Les pedimos que pongan la calefacción.

We ask you all to turn on the heating.

Cuando lleguen, pongan ese canal de noticias.

When you all arrive, turn on that news channel.

Mixing up 'poner' and 'encender'

Mistake: “Sometimes learners use 'encender' (to light/turn on) for media, when 'poner' is more common.”

Correction: Use 'poner' (pongan) when you mean 'play' or 'put on' a movie, show, or music. Use 'encender' for simple light switches.

Confusing 'encender' with 'poner' forms

Learners often overuse 'encender' for all situations. Remember that forms of 'poner' (like 'pon', 'ponga') are also common, especially for media or when you are actively choosing to start something. 'Encender' is more about activating a device's power.

Related Translations

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