zünden
Translation
to ignite, to light, to detonate, to catch on
Examples
Ein Funke kann Benzin zünden.
A spark can ignite gasoline.
Die Bombe zündete nicht.
The bomb did not detonate.
Sein Witz hat nicht gezündet.
His joke didn't land.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to ignite sth. A spark can ignite gasoline.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to light, to kindle; Antonyms: to extinguish (löschen)
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'zuntōn', connected to 'Zunder' (tinder).
Memory Tips
Imagine the 'ts' sound in 'zünden' as the hiss of a match striking to ignite something.