A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
transitive verb1. (to ignite)
a. to light Puedes prender el carbón con un fósforo.You can light the charcoal with a match.
2. (to activate) Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America) a. to turn on ¿No quieres prender la luz para poder leer mejor?Don't you want to turn on the light so you can read better?
b. to switch on Hace mucho calor. - Prende el aire acondicionado.It's really hot. - Switch on the air conditioning.
3. (to apprehend)
a. to catch La policía prendió al sospechoso mientras huía de la escena del crimen.The police caught the suspect running away from the crime scene.
b. to arrest La policía lo prendió por el robo del banco.The police arrested him for the bank robbery.
c. to capture La FBI prendió a los delincuentes mientras intentaban abordar un buque.The FBI captured the criminals while they were trying to board a ship.
4. (to put on)
a. to attach Diego prendió un ramillete al vestido de su novia.Diego attached a corsage to his girlfriend's dress.
b. to pin Mike prendió una rosa a su solapa antes de la boda de su hermano.Mike pinned a rose to his lapel before his brother's wedding.
c. to fasten Anita prendió una flor a su vestido y se fue a la fiesta.Anita fastened a flower to her dress and left for the party.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb5. (botany)
a. to take root Las semillas prendieron fácilmente en la tierra fértil de la granja.The seeds took root easily in the farm's fertile soil.
6. (to become popular)
a. to catch on Nuevos avances en la tecnología prenden rápidamente.New advances in technology catch on quickly.
7. (to receive)
a. to take Él recibió la vacuna contra la gripa, pero no prendió y se enfermo de igual manera.He got the flu vaccine, but it didn't take and he got sick anyway.
prenderse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g. Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb8. (to burn)
a. to catch fire El sofá estaba demasiado cerca de la chimenea y se prendió.The sofa was too close to the fireplace and caught fire.
Copyright © Curiosity Media Inc.prenderA transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
transitive verb1. (arrestar)
a. to arrest, to apprehend 3. (luz, interruptor) Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America) a. to lightprender fuego a algoto set fire to something, to set something on fire
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb7. (opinión)
a. to spreaduna idea que ha prendido entre el públicoan idea that has caught on among the public
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g. Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited
prender
transitive verb
1 [+persona] (capturar) to catch; capture; (detener) to arrest 2 (Cos) (sujetar) to fasten; (con alfiler) to pin; attach;en to; prender el pelo con horquillas to pin one's hair with grips
4 especialmente (Latinoamérica) [+fuego, horno, vela, cigarrillo] to light; [+cerilla] to strike; [+luz, TV] to switch on; [+cuarto] to light up intransitive verb
1 [+fuego] to catch sus ideas prendieron fácilmente en la juventud his ideas soon caught on with the young
2 (engancharse) to catch; stick el ancla prendió en el fondo the anchor buried itself in the seabed
3 [+planta] to take; take root pronominal verb
prenderse1 (encenderse) to catch fire 3 (Caribe) (emborracharse) to get drunk Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011Phrases
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