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Glite Dictionary
to light a candle

to light a candle

14 3.0
Make a candle burn to remember someone who has died or to show respect
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : encender una vela
  • During the memorial service, family and friends gathered to light a candle in honor of those who had passed away.
  • light a candle and pray
  • light a candle and kneel
  • want to light a candle

Examples

Synonyms

to commemorate
vsto light a candle
66 5.8

To remember someone or something with a ceremony

is a specific ritual act involving lighting a candle during such ceremonies
to memorialize
vsto light a candle
  • Formal
15 7.2

To honor and remember someone in a lasting, formal way

is a brief ceremonial act rather than a permanent memorial

Surface Forms

light a candle infinitive
lighting a candle present participle
lights a candle third person singular
lit a candle past
lit a candle past participle

Morphology

light + a + candle

The meaning 'to ignite a candle' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'light' (to set on fire) with 'a candle' (a wax block with a wick), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will understand the basic action. The ritual or commemorative nuance is a common, predictable cultural extension and usually inferable from context or cross-linguistic parallels, so the expression remains transparent.

Etymology

The phrase light a candle comes from the simple picture of a small light set on a candle during a quiet ceremony to remember someone who has died. That's why to light a candle today often means 'to remember' or 'to honour' someone who has passed.