apaga la luz
/apaɡa la luθ/from spelling rules
To say "turn the light off" in Spanish, you use apaga la luz.
This phrase is used to instruct someone to stop a light from shining by using a switch. While the phrase is apaga la luz, you may also use the infinitive form apagar la luz to say "to turn off the light". If you are specifically referring to a light bulb, the Spanish term is bombilla.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb apaga (turn off/extinguish) and the noun phrase la luz (the light).
Which one should you use?
Apaga la luz is the informal imperative used with friends, family or children. In contrast, apague la luz is used for formal situations or when speaking to strangers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the phrase Apagá la luz, por favor is used to say "turn the light off".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using a direct object pronoun like "it" to refer to la luz, the pronoun la is attached to the end of the imperative verb apaga, which requires an accent on the stressed syllable: apágala (turn it off).
How do you pronounce it?
/apaɡa la luθ/
Did you know?
- While apagar means to turn off a light, the opposite action of turning a light on is encender, which literally means 'to ignite' or 'to set on fire'.
- The word luz comes from the Latin lūx, which is the root for many English words related to light, such as 'lucid' and 'translucent'.
- In Mexico, a light bulb is often called a foco, which is also the word for a 'focus' or 'center of attention'.
Examples in context
- Una vez acabes, apaga la luz.Turn the light off when you're done.This example shows how to use apaga la luz when finishing a task.Tatoeba #5950059 by arh, translation #9644424 by DJ_Saidez
- Apaga la luz. No me puedo dormir.Turn the light off. I can't fall asleep.This example uses apaga la luz to express a desire to sleep.Tatoeba #599600 by Shishir, translation #599281 by Dejo
- Apaga la luz.Turn the light off.This is a simple use of the command apaga la luz.Tatoeba #1190837 by Shishir, translation #9496064 by DJ_Saidez
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are in the living room before going to bed.
- MaríaMateo, apaga la luz, por favor.Mateo, turn the light off, please.
- MateoVale, ya voy.Okay, I'm going.
- María¿Puedes apagar la luz de la cocina también?Can you turn the light off in the kitchen too?
- MateoSí, lo haré ahora mismo.Yes, I will do it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, luz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
