apagar
/apaˈɡaɾ/
The English phrase "turn off" is translated into Spanish as apagar.
Apagar is used to mean switching off an appliance or a light. It is also the standard verb used for extinguishing a fire or a cigarette.
Meaning: switch off appliance or light (verb)
Which one should you use?
The antonym of apagar is encender, which means to turn on.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle apagado can be used as an adjective to describe an appliance that is currently in the "off" state.
How do you pronounce it?
/apaˈɡaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use desligar to mean "turn off" an appliance. However, desligar actually means "to disconnect" or "to detach" in a psychological or physical sense.
Did you know?
- The verb apagar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'appease'. Both stem from the idea of bringing something to a state of 'peace' or stillness.
- In some Latin American countries, the word apagar is used colloquially to mean 'to shut someone up' or stop them from talking.
- While 'turn off' in English can mean to lose interest in something, if you say you want to apagarte in Spanish, it sounds like you want to physically extinguish yourself like a candle.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo apagar la tele?Can I turn off the TV?Tatoeba #563761 by Shishir, translation #39139 by CK
- ¿Puedes apagar la luz?Could you turn off the lights?Tatoeba #638651 by Shishir, translation #279151 by CK
- ¿Podrías apagar la luz?Could you all turn off the lights?Tatoeba #3150282 by leoruilova, translation #2143023 by gloeb
- Por favor, apague las luces antes de salir.Please turn off the lights before leaving.
- Desconecte el cable de alimentación para apagar la máquina.Disconnect the power cord to turn off the machine.
- Apaga la televisión, por favor.Turn off the TV, please.
- Juan, apaga la computadora.Juan, turn off the computer.
- Apaga la música, por favor.Turn off the music, please.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are leaving the kitchen.
- JavierNo olvides apagar la cafetera, Elena.Don't forget to turn off the coffee maker, Elena.
- ElenaTienes razón, ya lo hago.You're right, I'll do it now.
- Javier¿También hay que apagar el horno?Do we have to turn off the oven too?
- ElenaSí, apagar todo es más seguro.Yes, turning everything off is safer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turn off” translations and entries apagar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apagar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
