Meaning and behavior
What does encender mean?
Encender means to light, ignite. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -ER verb. It is non-reflexive.
to turn on, switch on, power up; to burn, have a burning sensation.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- encender
- Gerund
- encendiendo
- Past participle
- encendido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -er pattern in the present.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of encender for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Encender |
|---|---|
| yo | enciendo |
| tú | enciendes |
| él / ella / usted | enciende |
| nosotros / nosotras | encendemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | encendéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | encienden |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of encender is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Encender |
|---|---|
| yo | encendí |
| tú | encendiste |
| él / ella / usted | encendió |
| nosotros / nosotras | encendimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | encendisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | encendieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of encender, or for background information.
| Subject | Encender |
|---|---|
| yo | encendía |
| tú | encendías |
| él / ella / usted | encendía |
| nosotros / nosotras | encendíamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | encendíais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | encendían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of encender for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Encender |
|---|---|
| yo | encenderé |
| tú | encenderás |
| él / ella / usted | encenderá |
| nosotros / nosotras | encenderemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | encenderéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | encenderán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Encender |
|---|---|
| yo | encienda |
| tú | enciendas |
| él / ella / usted | encienda |
| nosotros / nosotras | encendamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | encendáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | enciendan |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of encender that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Encender |
|---|---|
| tú | enciende |
| usted | encienda |
| nosotros / nosotras | encendamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | encended |
| ustedes | enciendan |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of encender.
| Subject | Encender |
|---|---|
| tú | no enciendas |
| usted | no encienda |
| nosotros / nosotras | no encendamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no encendáis |
| ustedes | no enciendan |
Verified context
Examples with encender
Enciende la radio por favor.
Please turn on the radio.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FREnciende la radio, por favor.
Please turn on the radio.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRPor favor, enciende la radio.
Please turn on the radio.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Encender FAQ
What does encender mean?
Encender means to light, ignite.
Is encender regular or irregular?
Encender is a irregular -ER verb.
What is the gerund of encender?
The gerund of encender is encendiendo.
What is the past participle of encender?
The past participle of encender is encendido.
How is encender conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is enciendo, enciendes, enciende, encendemos, encienden.
How is encender conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is encendí, encendiste, encendió, encendimos, encendieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.