anzünden

Anzünden is a German verb meaning to light or ignite something by bringing flame to it. It denotes the act of starting a fire or causing something to burn. It is a separable-prefix verb, so in the present tense the prefix is separated: ich zünde die Kerze an; du zündest die Kerze an; er zündet die Kerze an. The past participle is angezündet, as in ich habe die Kerze angezündet.

Grammatically, anzünden follows the regular conjugation pattern of weak verbs with a separable prefix. In the perfect, the conjugated form is accompanied by the participle angezündet: ich habe die Kerze angezündet. In the simple past, one would say ich zündete die Kerze an. The prefix typically appears directly before the verb in main clauses, but is separated in main clauses with finite verbs.

Etymology and usage notes: anzünden is formed from the prefix an- (on, at) and zünden (to ignite). The construction is well established in Standard German and is found in a range of literal contexts, such as lighting candles, fires, stoves, or cigarettes.

In addition to its literal sense, anzünden can appear in figurative language to convey arousing or provoking a reaction, emotion, or discussion. However, more common figurative verbs for such meaning are entfachen or anfachen, depending on context.

Safety and legal considerations: because lighting fires can pose serious risks, it is subject to fire safety rules and local regulations. Improper use can lead to property damage, injury, or legal consequences, so it is important to exercise caution and follow applicable guidelines.