anzünden

German verbs ending in -en are typically regular and conjugate predictably. 'Anzünden' is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' separates from the verb stem in many tenses and moods, moving to the end of the clause.

Ich zünde die Kerze an. (I light the candle.)

In sentences with modal verbs, the separable prefix remains attached to the infinitive verb and both appear at the end of the sentence.

Ich möchte die Kerze anzünden. (I would like to light the candle.)

In the perfect tense (Perfekt), 'anzünden' uses 'haben' as its auxiliary verb, and the past participle is formed by inserting '-ge-' between the prefix and the verb stem: 'angezündet'.

Ich habe die Kerze angezündet. (I have lit the candle.)

The verb 'anzünden' is transitive, meaning it always takes a direct object in the accusative case.

Er zündet das Feuer an. (He lights the fire.) 'das Feuer' is the direct object.

In subordinate clauses (Nebensätze), the conjugated verb, including the prefix if separable, moves to the very end of the clause.

Ich weiß, dass er die Kerze anzündet. (I know that he lights the candle.)