Aansteken

to light, to infect/contaminate [verb] [aansteken, aangestoken]

Examples:

1. "Kun jij de kaarsen aansteken alstjeblieft?"

("Can you light the candles, please?" See also 32. Kaars)

2. "Door de wind kun je geen sigaret aansteken."

("Because of the wind, one cannot light a cigarette.")

3. "Op de kleuterschool steken kinderen elkaar vaak aan."

("In kindergarten children often contaminate each other." And obviously
not: "… light each other." 🙂 but it would not be an incorrect
translation.)

Related words:
– In the meaning of "to infect/contaminate" the word "aansteken" is only used when you talk about a cold or the flu. "Serious" illnesses require the use of the verb "besmetten". A "contagious disease" is a "besmettelijke ziekte".

– A lighter is called an "aansteker".

Example: "Mag ik je aansteker even lenen?"

("Can I borrow your lighter?")