Word choice. "Encender" or "Prender"?

Question

I've put it through the translator, and I'm pretty sure you are supposed to use "Encender", but "Prender" is also an option. Which would I use to say "Turn on the radio/light/pretty much anything electronic"? And if it is "Encender", when would "Prender" be used?

Answer 1

Encender is more formal in my book than prender to express to turn on or light up. Encender el fuego o la pasión en tu corazón. Encender el calentador, la lámpara, el automóvil, la radio. Meanings: to turn on or light up.

Prender can also mean to light something up or turn something on. Prender la luz. Prender la tele. Prender la calefacción. Prender el fuego.

But this verb has other meanings.

Prenderse in some countries can mean to get tipsy under the effects of alcohol.

Prenderse en fiebre. Mi bebé está prendido en fiebre. My baby is running a high fever or is burning up with fever.

Thanks mate , certainly highlights it easily. - ray76, Sep 20, 2012