enciende tu cámara
/enθjende tu kamaɾa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'turn on your camera' is translated into Spanish as enciende tu cámara.
This phrase is a request for someone to activate their video camera during a digital call or meeting. You can use the alternative term cámara web to specifically refer to a 'webcam'. In some casual digital contexts, speakers might use the colloquial shorthand pon la cámara to ask someone to enable their video.
Which one should you use?
The phrase enciende tu cámara uses the verb 'encender', whereas prender la cámara is a common way to express the action of turning on electronic devices in many parts of Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Latin America, the verb prender is more commonly used than encender to mean 'turn on' for electronic devices, such as in the phrase prender la cámara.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase enciende tu cámara uses the informal imperative form. For formal situations, use the formal imperative encienda su cámara. If you want to express the general action of turning on the camera, you can use the infinitive form encender la cámara.
How do you pronounce it?
/enθjende tu kamaɾa/
Did you know?
- The word cámara shares its roots with the English word 'chamber'. Both come from the Ancient Greek καμάρα, which referred to a vaulted room or something with an arched cover.
- The colloquial pon la cámara literally means 'put the camera'. It treats the video feed as something you place into the meeting rather than a switch you flip.
- While enciende tu cámara is a direct request, Spanish speakers often soften the command by adding por favor or using the conditional podrías encender tu cámara to avoid sounding bossy.
Examples in context
- ¿Puede encender su cámara, por favor?Can you turn on your camera, please?
- Recuerden activar sus cámaras durante la reunión.Remember to turn on your cameras during the meeting.
- Para una mejor interacción, les pedimos que prendan sus cámaras.For better interaction, we ask that you turn on your cameras.
- Por favor, enciende tu cámara para la reunión.Please turn on your camera for the meeting.
- Por favor, enciende tu cámara.Please, turn on your camera.
- Enciende tu cámara para la clase.Turn on your camera for the class.
- No puedo verte, enciende tu cámara.I can't see you, turn on your camera.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are having a video meeting on their computers.
- ElenaHola Javier, ¿puedes hablar conmigo?Hello Javier, can you talk to me?
- JavierSí, pero mi conexión es mala.Yes, but my connection is bad.
- ElenaEnciende tu cámara para que te vea.Turn on your camera so I can see you.
- JavierEstá bien, lo intentaré.Okay, I will try.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cámara, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
