On and Off

[Rusty]

'Get the light' is a very handy phrase. If the light is on, it means to turn it off; if off, then on.

[chileno]

Right. What I find funny is that people is so accustomed to "turn the light on/off" even if it is a sliding switch.

btw, Happy New Year to everyone!

[Don José]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

Anyway, "poner la tele", "poner el radio", "poner la lavadora"... may be understood as ellipses for "poner a funcionar (un aparato)".

Some cases in which "poner" is not used, at least here: luz, móvil/celular, ordenador/computadora, impresora, altavoces. I wonder if some people would use it for a microwave, an oven or any kind of kitchen, I wouldn't.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

"La luz" is not an "aparato", so "poner la luz" is not used, but "poner/encender/prender/(even "abrir") la computadora" is certainly a way to say to turn it on.

"Poner la impresora / las bocinas (or altavoces)" could be understood either as to turn them on or to set them for being used. Context would tell.

I don't think we'd use "poner" for the microwave oven or other kitchen appliances like a "batidora" or a "licuadora", because they don't work switching them on for using them... they just need to be plugged in.

[Don José]

Sorry, I was using kitchen (cocina, the room) for stove (cocina, the apparatus).

1. Voy a encender el horno.
2. Voy a poner el horno.

1. ¿Has encendido el fuego? (de la cocina)
2. ¿Has puesto el fuego? (de la cocina)

I would use the options 1.

There is a easy joke for "poner", that we said a lot of times when being kids:

Alguien dice: pon la televisión.
- ¿Dónde quieres que la ponga?

It my be the reason why I don't like that verb when it means encender.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I think many people here would say "pon la lumbre (de la estufa)" or "pon el horno (a calentar)". But most would say "prende/enciende la estufa / el horno".
As it usually happens with handy verbs, many people find them inappropriate.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Don José

There is a easy joke for "poner", that we said a lot of times when being kids:

Alguien dice: pon la televisión.
- ¿Dónde quieres que la ponga?

It works differently in English:

Someone says: Put the television on.
Smart response: But it doesn't fit me!