turn on

turn 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 cause to function)

a. prender (a light or an appliance)

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

(Latin America)

Turn on the lights when you go into the basement.Prende las luces cuando bajes al sótano.

b. abrir (a faucet or water)

I turned the hot water faucet on, but nothing came out.Abrí el grifo del agua caliente, pero no salió nada.

c. encender (a light or an appliance)

Turn on the TV. My favorite show is about to start.Enciende el televisor. Mi programa favorito está a punto de empezar.

d. conectar (electricity)

The supplier hasn't turned on the electricity at our new house yet.El proveedor aún no ha conectado la electricidad en nuestra nueva casa.

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(to excite)

a. gustar

Rock music doesn't turn me on that much; I prefer classical.La música rock no me gusta tanto, prefiero la clásica.

b. prender

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(sexually)

It turns me on when my girlfriend kisses my neck.Me prende cuando mi novia me besa el cuello.

c. excitar (sexually)

I always give her a massage to turn her on.Siempre le doy un masaje para excitarla.

d. poner cachondo

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(sexually)

Regionalism used in Mexico

(Mexico)

Regionalism used in Spain

(Spain)

Raw oysters never fail to turn them on.Las ostras crudas no fallan en ponerles cachondos.

3. (to go against)

a. volverse en contra de

When he confessed to stealing their money, his friends turned on him.Cuando confesó al robo de su dinero, sus amigos se volvieron en su contra.

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

4. (to switch on)

a. encenderse

All the lights suddenly turned on.De pronto se encendieron todas las luces.

b. prenderse

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

(Latin America)

I wake up when the central heating turns on.Me despierto cuando se prende la calefacción central.

5. (legal)

a. depender de

The fate of the defendant turns on the judge's decision.El destino del acusado depende de la decisión del juez.

turn 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. (water, gas)

a. abrir

2. (light, tv, engine)

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)

3. (colloquial)

a. entusiasmar (excite)

4. (sexually)

a. excitar

b. poner cachondo(a) a

Regionalism used in Mexico

(Mexico)

5. (depend on)

it all turns on…todo depende de…

turn on

verb:intransitive:plus_adverb

1 [+appliance] encenderse; prender; (LAm)

It turns on automatically

2 (TV) (Rad) [+viewer, listener] encender or prender el receptor; (LAm)

Millions of viewers turn on at 6 o'clock every night

transitive verb

1 [+appliance, electricity] encender; prender; (LAm)

When you arrive, you'll need to turn on the gas and electric (at the mains)

[+tap] abrir; [+light] encender; [+central heating] encender

to leave the radio turned on dejar la radio encendida; to turn on the charm desplegar todos sus encantos

He really knows how to turn on the charm, doesn't he?

2 (excite) interesar; despertar; (sexually) excitar

he doesn't turn me on no me chifla (informal); whatever turns you on lo que te guste; lo que quieras

intransitive verb

to turn on sb volverse contra algn

the dog turned on him they turned on him and accused him of treachery He went to pat the dog and it turned on him It was terrible to see his former friends turning on him and accusing him of treachery

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples