switch on

Dictionary

switch on(

)

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (to activate)

a. encender

it's so dark in here. Can you switch on a light?Está tan oscuro aquí. ¿Puedes encender una luz?

b. prender

Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.

(Latin America)

I can't believe you forgot to switch on the dishwasher!¡No puedo creer que te olvidaras de prender el lavaplatos!

c. poner

Have you switched on the alarm clock?¿Pusiste el despertador?

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g. Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

2. (to be activated)

a. encenderse

It was really uncomfortable in that room until the air conditioning switched on.Esa habitación estaba muy poco confortable hasta que se encendió el aire acondicionado.

b. prenderse

Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.

(Latin America)

Do you know if the thermostat has switched on yet?¿Sabes si el termostato se ha prendido?

c. ponerse

If you set the clock, the TV switches on automatically at the selected time.Si configuras el reloj, la TV se pone automáticamente a la hora seleccionada.

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switch on

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (appliance, heating)

a. encender

b. prender

Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.

(Latin America)

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

2. (appliance, heating)

a. encenderse

b. prenderse

Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.

(Latin America)

switch on

transitive verb

1 (Electricity and Electronics) (Aut) [+light, television, gas, electricity] encender; prender; (LAm) [+alarm clock, burglar alarm] poner

he switched on the light encendió la luz

please switch the radio on

to leave the television switched on dejar la televisión puesta or encendida

ignition

2 (use)

to switch on the charm ponerse encantador

he was good at switching on the charm when he wanted He had the ability to switch on the concentration when necessary

(excite)

his music switches me on su música me pone a tono (very_informal)

verb:intransitive:plus_adverb

(Electricity and Electronics) [+washing-machine, light, heating] encenderse; [+viewer] encender la televisión; poner la televisión; prender la televisión; (LAm) [+listener] encender la radio; poner la radio; prender la radio; (LAm) [+driver] arrancar

the light switches on automatically las luces se encienden automáticamente

a total of 1.17 million viewers switched on for the match

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples