encender

to turn on, to light

verb en-sen-DEHR Rare

Origin: From Latin 'incendere' (to set on fire), from 'in-' + 'candere' (to glow).

Also means

to ignite, to arouse

Usage Note

Encender is an e→ie stem-changing verb (enciendo, enciendes, enciende). It covers switching on electrical devices (encender la luz, to turn on the light) and physically lighting a flame (encender una vela, to light a candle). Figuratively it means to ignite passion or anger. Its antonym is apagar (to turn off, to extinguish).

Examples

"¿Puedes encender la calefacción?"

Natural Translation

Can you turn on the heating?

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