zünden

Zünden is a German verb meaning to ignite or to light, i.e., to start combustion or to set something on fire. It is used for lighting candles or fires, starting engines, and in a broader sense for triggering devices. Typical everyday uses include phrases such as eine Kerze anzünden (to light a candle) or das Feuerwerk anzünden (to ignite fireworks). In technical language, Zündung refers to the ignition system of an engine or motor, as in die Zündung des Motors (the ignition of the engine) or die Zündung einschalten (to switch on ignition).

Conjugation and usage: Zünden is a regular verb with the present forms ich zünde, du zündest, er zündet, wir zünden, ihr zündet, sie zünden. The simple past is zündete, and the perfect tense is gezündet. Many contexts use the prefixed form anzünden, meaning to light something by starting it; the corresponding participle is angezündet, as in ich habe die Kerze angezündet. In the sense of ignition of a device or weapon, zünden can also appear without the prefix, depending on construction.

Figurative usage: In metaphorical language zünden describes something that captures attention or arouses enthusiasm, for example Der Funke zündet, meaning the spark or idea has taken hold.

Etymology and scope: The verb is closely linked to the noun Zündung (ignition). Its sense broadened from lighting a flame to include ignition of engines and other triggering events. Safety and context considerations are typical when discussing ignition-related topics, especially regarding explosive or weaponry contexts.

Examples: Ich zünde eine Kerze an. Die Zündung des Motors ist defekt. Die Kerze ist angezündet. Der Funke zündet.