encender

Encender is a Spanish verb meaning to light or ignite, and to turn on a device or appliance. It applies to starting a flame, igniting a fuel source, or activating electrical or electronic equipment. The reflexive form encenderse exists with senses such as to catch fire, to flare up emotionally, or to become illuminated.

Etymology and usage notes: Encender derives from Latin incendere “to set on fire,” with the prefix en- evolving into a causative sense in Spanish. The modern form appears in medieval Spanish. The verb is related to prender and incendiar, though regional usage differs: some dialects prefer prender for lighting or starting things, while encender is common for lamps, engines, and electronics.

Conjugation overview: Encender is a stem-changing verb (e→ie) in most present tenses. In the present indicative it is conjugated as enciendo, enciendes, enciende, encendemos, encendéis, encienden. The preterite is encendí, encendiste, encendió, encendimos, encendisteis, encendieron. The imperfect forms are encendía, encendías, encendía, encendíamos, encendíais, encendían. The present subjunctive is encienda, enciendas, encienda, encendamos, encendáis, enciendan. The affirmative imperative is enciende (tú), encienda (usted), encendamos (nosotros), encended (vosotros), enciendan (ustedes).

Usage examples and nuances: Encender la luz or encender una vela means to turn on a light or to light a flame. Encender el motor or encender la computadora means to start a machine or device. In many varieties, prender is a common synonym, especially for lighting cigarettes or small flames, while encender is more typical for lights, engines, and electronics. The opposite action is apagar (to switch off or extinguish).

See also: apagar, prender, incendiar.