prender

to catch

verb pren-DEHR Rare

Also means

to turn on (a light)

Usage Note

Prender has notably different uses across regions: in Latin America it commonly means 'to turn on' a device or light (prender la tele), while in Spain encender is preferred for that sense. In both regions prender also means 'to catch' or 'to arrest' (la policía lo prendió). The reflexive prenderse can mean 'to catch fire'.

Examples

"Prende la luz, por favor."

Natural Translation

Turn on the light, please.

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