anzünden
to light
To set something on fire or make it burn.
EXAMPLE
Er zündete die Kerzen auf dem Geburtstagskuchen an.
He lit the candles on the birthday cake.
anzünden
to light / ignite
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Meanings
anzünden
to ignite
Figuratively, to deliberately trigger or provoke something negative, such as an argument or conflict.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner unbedachten Äußerung hat er eine heftige Debatte angezündet.
With his careless remark, he ignited a heated debate.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anzünden' (to light / ignite) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich zünde den Kamin an.
I light the fireplace.
Reflexive use
When you light something for yourself, the reflexive dative construction 'sich etwas anzünden' (to light something for oneself) is often used. The object is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Er zündete sich eine Zigarette an.
He lit himself a cigarette.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'anzünden' (to light) is often combined with things that can burn. Typical examples are: eine Kerze anzünden (to light a candle), ein Feuer anzünden (to light a fire), ein Streichholz anzünden (to light a match), or den Kamin anzünden (to light the fireplace).
EXAMPLE
Zum Advent zünden wir jeden Sonntag eine weitere Kerze an.
During Advent, we light one more candle every Sunday.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that the object is an abstract noun. Common combinations are 'einen Streit anzünden' (to ignite an argument), 'eine Diskussion anzünden' (to ignite a discussion), or 'eine Debatte anzünden' (to ignite a debate).
EXAMPLE
Seine provokante Frage hat im Team einen heftigen Streit angezündet.
His provocative question ignited a heated argument in the team.
Compare with
anzünden vs entzünden
to ignite / to become inflamed / to spark
Both verbs can mean causing something to burn. Anzünden is the usual choice in everyday language. Entzünden refers to the same action but sounds more formal or literary.
anzünden
Am Abend zündet der Wächter die Fackel an.
In the evening, the guard lights the torch.
entzünden
Bei Beginn der Zeremonie entzündet der Wächter die Fackel.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the guard lights the torch.
In real life
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