encendido
/enθenˈdido/
In Spanish, encendido means turned on.
The term encendido is used to describe a device that has been powered up and is functioning. This includes electronics, as well as objects involving fire or light, such as a lamp or a candle. To express the infinitive action 'to turn on' (for example, 'I want to turn on the light'), you should use the verb encender.
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the verb encender, which literally means 'to light' or 'to ignite'.
Which one should you use?
The opposite of encendido (turned on) is apagado (turned off).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form encendido is the past participle of the verb encender. It is used to indicate that the action of turning something on has been completed.
How do you pronounce it?
/enθenˈdido/
When do people say it?
In informal conversations, particularly in Latin American countries, the phrase estar prendido/a can be used to convey being 'turned on' or excited.
Did you know?
- Be careful with the colloquialism estar prendido, as in certain contexts it can shift from meaning 'excited' to a slang term for sexual arousal.
- The word apagado for 'turned off' also describes a person who is feeling gloomy, spiritless or lacking energy.
- The word encendido can be used figuratively to describe a person's complexion, such as saying someone has an 'encendido' glow due to blushing or passion.
Examples in context
- Bill ha encendido la tele.Bill turned on the television.This sentence is useful for showing how to use encendido to describe turning on a television.Tatoeba #1442663 by Shishir, translation #34541 by CN
- Tom apenas había encendido la tele, cuando los fusibles saltaron.Tom had just turned on the TV when the fuses blew.This sentence shows the use of encendido when describing an action that had just occurred.Tatoeba #3175717 by cueyayotl, translation #7964859 by fpp
- El sistema de seguridad está encendido.The security system is turned on.
- El partido de fútbol está muy prendido.The soccer match is really exciting.
- El monitor ya está encendido.The monitor is already turned on.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are in the living room checking the electronics.
- Alejandro¿Está encendido el televisor?Is the television turned on?
- MaríaNo, todavía no está encendido.No, it is not turned on yet.
- AlejandroVoy a dejarlo encendido para la película.I am going to leave it turned on for the movie.
- MaríaPerfecto, Alejandro.Perfect, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry encendido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
