toallitas húmedas
/toaʝitas umedas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "baby wipes" is translated into Spanish as toallitas húmedas.
The term refers to disposable moist cloths used for cleaning a baby's skin. You can also use toallitas de bebé to say the same thing. If you need to specify that the wipes are fragrance-free, use toallitas para bebés sin fragancia.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase toallitas húmedas literally means "little wet towels". It is composed of the diminutive of toalla (towel), which is toallitas and húmedas (wet).
Which one should you use?
While toallitas húmedas is the standard term, you may encounter toallitas de bebé as another common way to express the same idea. For a more formal context, you can use toallas húmedas para bebés, which translates to "wet towels for babies".
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is toallita húmeda.
Did you know?
- The word toalla comes from the Old French word 'toale', which originated from the Latin word 'tovallum', meaning a coarse cloth.
- The diminutive toallitas is so common in Spanish that it can be used to sound more affectionate or 'cute' when talking to a child, even if the object is not particularly small.
- In Spain, you might hear the phrase toallitas húmedas used in a cautionary sense during environmental campaigns to discourage people from flushing them down the toilet.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar toallitas húmedas para el bebé.I need to buy baby wipes for the baby.
- ¿Tienes toallitas húmedas en tu bolso?Do you have baby wipes in your bag?
- Las toallitas húmedas están en el estante.The baby wipes are on the shelf.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at the supermarket preparing for their baby's arrival.
- DanielSofía, ¿podemos llevar más toallitas húmedas?Sofía, can we take more baby wipes?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, todavía nos quedan pocas en casa.Yes, Daniel, we still have only a few left at home.
- DanielVoy a buscar las toallitas húmedas más económicas.I am going to look for the most economical baby wipes.
- SofíaPerfecto, yo reviso la lista de compras.Perfect, I will check the shopping list.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
