encender la luz
/enθendeɾ la luθ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'turn on the light' is translated into Spanish as encender la luz.
This phrase is used to describe starting the flow of electricity to a lamp or light fixture so that it provides light. Its direct antonym, meaning 'to turn off the light', is apagar la luz.
Which one should you use?
While encender la luz is a standard way to say 'to turn on the light', prender la luz is a very common synonym. In many Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, prender la luz is used more frequently.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase prender la luz is a very common alternative to encender la luz in many Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in the Americas.
How do you pronounce it?
/enθendeɾ la luθ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying abrir la luz (to open the light). Although this may seem logical based on the concept of 'opening' a circuit, you should use encender or prender instead.
Did you know?
- The word encender shares a common ancestor with the English word 'incense'. Both words stem from the idea of setting something on fire or making it glow.
- In many regions, if you want to say 'turn on the light', you use prender, but this same verb is also used to say a person 'is on fire' or 'is very excited'.
- The verb apagar used in apagar la luz comes from the Latin word for 'extinguishing' a fire by quenching it with water.
Examples in context
- Haga el favor de encender la luz.Please turn on the light.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase encender la luz.Tatoeba #2267658 by cueyayotl, translation #279150 by CK
- Por favor, encienda la luz de la sala.Please turn on the light in the living room.
- Disculpe, ¿podría encender la luz del pasillo por favor?Excuse me, could you turn on the light in the hallway, please?
- Oye, prende la luz de la cocina.Hey, turn on the light in the kitchen.
- Amigo/a, ¿puedes encender la luz de este cuarto, por favor?Friend, can you turn on the light in this room, please?
- Voy a encender la luz de la cocina.I am going to turn on the kitchen light.
- Por favor, ¿puedes encender la luz?Please, can you turn on the light?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier enter a dark living room.
- SofíaNo veo nada aquí, Javier.I can't see anything here, Javier.
- JavierTienes razón, voy a encender la luz.You are right, I will turn on the light.
- SofíaGracias, ahora sí puedo ver.Thanks, now I can see.
- JavierDe nada, Sofía.You're welcome, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries encender, la, luz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
