zündet

Zündet is the third-person singular present indicative form of the German verb zünden, meaning to ignite, light, or spark. It is used when something is being set on fire or started, such as lighting a flame, turning on a device, or triggering an ignition. The sense can be literal (lighting a candle or cigarette) or figurative (igniting an interest or a movement).

Etymology and cognates: The verb zünden derives from Germanic roots and has cognates in other Germanic languages, including Dutch zünden, Swedish tända, Norwegian tenne, and Danish tænde. The related noun Zündung refers to ignition or a ignition system, and occurs in compounds like Zündkerze (spark plug) and Zündschloss (ignition switch).

Usage and forms: In present tense, the forms are ich zünde, du zündest, er/sie/es zündet, wir zünden, ihr zündet, sie zünden. The preterite is zündete and the present perfect is hat gezündet, with the past participle gezündet. The word appears in transitive constructions such as Er zündet die Kerze an (He lights the candle) or Er zündet sich eine Zigarette an (He lights a cigarette). It can also describe the ignition of machinery or explosives in technical contexts.

See also: Zündung (ignition), Zündkerze (spark plug), Zündschloss (ignition switch). The term is commonly contrasted with anzünden, a closely related form often used when emphasizing the act of lighting something, especially with the preposition or particle an.