The present invention provides an ignition method for an internal combustion engine, an injection being alternatively performed in at least one first operating mode or in a second operating mode, and the ignition coil being charged as a function of the current operating mode. A control-pulse curve characteristic of the current operating mode is provided, and the charging of the ignition coil is performed by a control logic element in response to the control-pulse curve, using corresponding, different time characteristics of the primary current. The present invention also provides a corresponding ignition device for an internal combustion engine.