Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| encender | /enθenˈdeɾ/ /ensenˈdeɾ/ |
| prender | /pɾenˈdeɾ/ |
| acender (disused) |
Both encender and prender are used to describe the action of activating an appliance, light, mechanism or functionality. While both can refer to turning on appliances, encender is more common in formal or technical contexts involving electricity.
Which one should you use?
encender is the standard term used across the Spanish-speaking world for activating electronic devices or lights. prender is a common synonym frequently used in Latin America, but it can also mean to ignite a fire or a flame.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the verb encender is often used to say 'turn on'. In Argentina, it is common to use the verb prender to mean 'turn on'.
How does it change in a sentence?
encender is a stem-changing verb where the 'e' in the stem changes to 'ie' in many present tense conjugations. The past participle encendido/a can be used as an adjective to describe a device that is currently in the 'on' state.
How do you pronounce it?
/enθenˈdeɾ/
Did you know?
- While prender is used for electronics in Latin America, it also means 'to seize' or 'to catch' in other contexts. This comes from the Latin prehendere, which is the same root as the English word 'apprehend'.
- In several Latin American countries, the phrase prenderse can be used as slang to describe someone becoming unexpectedly excited or 'hyped up'.
- In some contexts, encender can be used metaphorically to describe someone becoming suddenly angry or passionate. This usage mirrors the literal act of 'lighting a fire' within a person.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo encender la radio?Can I turn on the radio?This sentence is useful for asking permission to turn on the radio using encender.Tatoeba #1745891 by marcelostockle, translation #2883737 by AlanF_US
- ¿Puede encender sus faros?Could you turn on your headlights?This sentence is useful for asking someone to turn on their headlights using encender.Tatoeba #2604311 by marcelostockle, translation #33959 by CK
- ¿Puedo prender el televisor?May I turn on the television?This sentence is useful for asking permission to turn on the television using prender.Tatoeba #1352968 by marcelostockle, translation #39144 by CK
- Encienda la luz.Turn on the light.
- Encienda el televisor, por favor.Turn on the television, please.
- Encienda las luces del patio, por favor.Turn on the patio lights, please.
- Enciende el cocheTurn on the car.
- Prendé la computadoraTurn on the computer.
- Pon la músicaTurn on the music.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are in the living room at night.
- MaríaMateo, ¿puedes encender la luz?Mateo, can you turn on the light?
- MateoSí, ahora mismo la enciendo.Yes, I'll turn it on right now.
- MaríaGracias, está muy oscuro aquí.Thank you, it is very dark in here.
- MateoDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turn on” translations and entries encender, prender, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acender, encender, prender, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
