verb

prender

turn on

Significa encender algo, como una luz o un fuego, o también sujetar o fijar un objeto en otro lugar.

Definition & meaning

Prender is a regular Spanish verb with several meanings:

To light, ignite, or set on fire
Used for lamps, candles, fires, or other things that begin to burn.
- prender una vela — to light a candle
- prender fuego — to set fire to something
  This meaning is especially common in Latin America; in Spain, encender is often preferred.
To turn on or switch on
In many Latin American countries, prender means to turn on an electrical device or light.
- prender la luz — to turn on the light
- prender la televisión — to turn on the television
To fasten, attach, or pin
It can describe attaching something with a pin, clasp, or similar object.
- prender un broche — to fasten a brooch
- prender la ropa con alfileres — to pin the clothes
To arrest or apprehend
Mainly used in several Latin American varieties of Spanish.
- La policía prendió al sospechoso — The police arrested the suspect.
  In general Spanish, detener is more widely used.
To take root, catch on, or become established
Used for plants, ideas, customs, feelings, or movements.
- La planta prendió — The plant took root.
- La idea prendió entre los estudiantes — The idea caught on among the students.
To catch fire or start burning
As an intransitive verb, it can mean that something begins to burn.
- La madera no prende — The wood will not catch fire.

Grammar & word origin

Prender is an infinitive verb ending in -er. Its stem is prend-, and it is generally conjugated regularly:

yo prendo — I light / turn on / fasten
tú prendes — you light / turn on / fasten
él/ella prende — he/she lights / turns on / fastens
pretérito: prendí, prendiste, prendió
gerund: prendiendo
past participle: prendido

Depending on the meaning, it may be transitive or intransitive. Its uses developed from the idea of grasping or taking hold. It comes from Latin prehendere, “to seize” or “to grasp,” which is also related to Spanish words such as aprender and comprender.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

encender — to light or turn on; this is the most common general synonym, especially in Spain.
iluminar — to illuminate; it focuses on producing light rather than activating a device.
activar — to activate or switch on; more technical or general than prender.
sujetar — to fasten or hold in place; broader than prender.
fijar ? — to attach or fix securely; it emphasizes making something stay in position.
detener — to arrest or detain; more widely used than prender for this meaning.
arrestar — to arrest; a direct synonym in the law-enforcement sense.
arraigar — to take root or become established; more formal and usually connected with plants, customs, or ideas.
prosperar — to thrive or succeed; it can overlap with the figurative sense of an idea or movement “taking hold.”

Antonyms

apagar — to put out or turn off; the main antonym when prender means “to light” or “to switch on.”
desconectar — to disconnect or switch off; more technical than apagar.
soltar — to release or let go; the opposite of fastening or attaching.
desprender — to detach or come loose; the direct opposite of attaching something.
liberar — to release or set free; the opposite of arresting someone.
desarraigar — to uproot or remove from its established place; the opposite of taking root.

Common phrases & collocations

prender fuego [?](vocabuo://word/prender fuego) — to set fire to something
prender la luz [?](vocabuo://word/prender la luz) — to turn on the light
prender el televisor [?](vocabuo://word/prender el televisor) — to turn on the television
prender una vela [?](vocabuo://word/prender una vela) — to light a candle
prender un cigarro [?](vocabuo://word/prender un cigarro) — to light a cigarette
prender con alfileres [?](vocabuo://word/prender con alfileres) — to pin or fasten with pins
prender al sospechoso [?](vocabuo://word/prender al sospechoso) — to arrest the suspect
echar raíces y prender [?](vocabuo://word/echar raíces y prender) — to take root and become established
la idea prendió [?](vocabuo://word/la idea prendió) — the idea caught on