поджигать

поджигать

To set on fire; to ignite deliberately.

In this sentence, 'поджигать' is used in its neutral sense, meaning 'to light something on fire'.

Я люблю поджигать свечи вечером.

I like to light candles in the evening.

Here 'поджигать', in past tense as 'поджёг', is used to describe starting a fire for a practical purpose.

Он поджёг костёр, чтобы мы согрелись.

He lit the campfire so we could warm ourselves.

In this context, 'поджигать' signifies a deliberate act of arson, which is illegal and carries negative connotations.

Поджигать чужую собственность строго запрещено.

Setting someone else's property on fire is strictly forbidden.