Spanish switches between “está encendido/a” for a device with power and “está en” for place or timing, so the best choice depends on the scene.
You can’t translate “is on” with one Spanish phrase and call it done. English uses “on” for power, location, schedule, clothing, and even mood. Spanish splits those jobs across different verbs and expressions.
What “Is On” Can Mean In English
Before you pick Spanish words, pin down the meaning. “Is on” usually falls into a few buckets.
- Power: The TV is on. The light is on.
- Location: The book is on the table.
- Schedule: The meeting is on Monday. The show is on at 8.
Spanish uses different patterns for each meaning. The next sections show the common choices and the details that keep them natural.
Use “Está Encendido” For Power Being On
When you mean a device has power, Spanish often uses estar + encendido. Think “powered” rather than “on.”
Common Patterns For Devices
- El televisor está encendido. The TV is on.
- La luz está encendida. The light is on.
- El móvil está encendido. The phone is on.
Notice the ending. Encendido changes to match the noun: encendido for masculine, encendida for feminine.
When “Prendido” Shows Up
In many Latin American regions, prendido/a also means “on,” especially for lights or engines.
- La lámpara está prendida.
- El carro está prendido.
‘Is On’ In Spanish With A Modifier For Power, Place, And Plans
People often search this topic because they want a single “is on” phrase. Spanish makes you choose. Use this quick map as your decision starter, then keep reading for the fine points.
| English “Is On” Meaning | Spanish Pattern | Example You Can Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Device has power | estar + encendido/a | La radio está encendida. |
| Light or flame burning | estar + encendido/a / prendido/a | La estufa está encendida. |
| Something resting on top | estar + sobre / encima de | El cuaderno está sobre la mesa. |
| Stuck or attached on | estar + en / pegado a | La etiqueta está pegada al frasco. |
| Event scheduled | ser + (día) / estar programado/a | La clase es el martes. |
| Show airing | dar / estar en | La serie está en Netflix. |
| Wearing clothing | llevar puesto/a | Lleva puesta una chaqueta. |
| A plan is happening | seguir en pie / estar en marcha | El plan sigue en pie. |
This table gives you workable defaults. The next sections explain why some choices change with context, and where learners most often slip.
Use “Está En” Or “Está Sobre” For Location On A Surface
For location, Spanish asks a different question: is it on top, inside, or attached? For “on a surface,” two common options are sobre and encima de.
On Top Of A Surface
- El libro está sobre la mesa.
- El libro está encima de la mesa.
Sobre often sounds a bit cleaner. Encima de can feel more physical, like you’re pointing at the stack.
On A Wall, On A Screen, On A Page
English uses “on” for things that are attached or displayed. Spanish often uses en in those cases.
- El cuadro está en la pared. (on the wall)
- El botón está en la pantalla. (on the screen)
- La foto está en la página. (on the page)
Treat it as “located there.”
Use “Es” For Dates And “Está” For A Current State
Schedules mix two ideas: the date itself, and the current status of the plan. Spanish often uses ser for calendar facts and estar for how something stands right now.
Dates And Days
- La reunión es el lunes.
- El examen es mañana.
Whether The Plan Still Stands
- La reunión sigue en pie. (still happening)
- La reunión está cancelada. (canceled)
- La reunión está confirmada. (confirmed)
If you translate “The meeting is on Monday” with está, it can sound off in many settings. Use es for the day, then add status if you need it.
Say A Show Is On TV Or Streaming
English says “The game is on at eight,” “The movie is on Netflix,” and “The news is on.” Spanish splits those, too.
When Something Is Airing On TV
- Dan el partido a las ocho. (They’re showing the game at eight.)
When Something Is Available On A Platform
- La película está en Netflix.
In many regions, dar works well for “they’re showing it.” Estar en works well for “it’s on the platform.”
Say Clothing Is On Someone
For clothes being “on,” Spanish usually avoids a direct “is on” structure. It uses llevar or tener with puesto/a.
- Lleva puesta una camisa azul.
- Tiene puestos los zapatos.
If you must describe the clothing item as the subject, you can still do it, but it’s less common:
- La chaqueta la lleva puesta.
Say A Deal Or Plan Is On
When English means “the plan is happening,” Spanish often uses phrases that signal continuation or motion.
- El trato sigue en pie. (the deal still stands)
- La fiesta sigue. (the party is still going)
- El proyecto está en marcha. (the project is underway)
For “It’s on!” as a challenge, choices vary by region. A neutral pick is Hecho or Listo.
Common Mistakes And Fast Fixes
Most errors come from picking the right words but pairing them with the wrong meaning of “on.” Here are fixes that work in real writing and speech.
Mixing Power And Location
Wrong idea: using está en for a device that has power. Fix: use está encendido/a.
Using “Ser” For Temporary Status
Es cancelada sounds odd for “is canceled.” Fix:está cancelada. Status words pair with estar.
Forgetting Gender In “Encendido/a”
Light is la luz, so it’s encendida. TV is el televisor, so it’s encendido. Match the noun you said.
Handy Reference Table For Your Next Sentence
Use this when you’re mid-message and you just need a clean option that fits the meaning you have in mind.
| What You Mean | What To Say | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The device has power | Está encendido/a | Match gender with the noun |
| The light is lit | Está encendida / Está prendida | Prendida varies by region |
| On top of a surface | Está sobre / encima de | Sobre often reads lighter |
| On a wall or screen | Está en | Think “located there” |
| On Monday / on Tuesday | Es el lunes / Es el martes | Calendar fact |
| The plan is still happening | Sigue en pie | Good for meetings and plans |
| The project is underway | Está en marcha | Good for work and tasks |
How To Choose The Right Spanish In One Pass
When you write “is on,” pause for one beat and ask: power, place, schedule, clothing, or status? If it’s power, go with está encendido/a. If it’s place, pick sobre, encima de, or en. If it’s a date, use es. If it’s whether the plan still stands, choose sigue en pie or another status phrase that matches the mood.
That small check prevents the common mistake of forcing one translation onto every scene. With the right pattern, “is on” becomes an easy choice in texts and speech.