Which one should you use?
While cepillarme los dientes specifically uses the verb for brushing, you may also hear the alternative lavarme los dientes, which literally means to wash one's teeth but is a very common way to express the same idea.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, you use the definite article los (the) instead of the possessive adjective mis (my) when referring to body parts being acted upon. Furthermore, when you conjugate this phrase in the present tense, the reflexive pronoun me moves to the front of the conjugated verb, resulting in me cepillo los dientes.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying cepillar mis dientes. English speakers often mistakenly use the possessive mis (my) instead of the definite article los (the) when talking about body parts.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word cepillo refers not only to a toothbrush but can also describe a hairbrush or a scrubbing brush used for floors.
- While you might expect to use 'mi' for 'my', using the possessive in Spanish when talking about body parts can actually sound like you are distancing yourself from your own body, as if your teeth belong to someone else.
- The article los used in this phrase traces its roots back to the Latin word illōs, which originally functioned as a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'those' or 'those ones'.
Examples in context
- Quisiera cepillarme los dientes.I'd like to brush my teeth.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to use the phrase cepillarme los dientes.Tatoeba #3199119 by marcelostockle, translation #1936516 by CK
- Tengo que cepillarme los dientes.I have to brush my teeth.This sentence is useful for expressing an obligation to use the phrase cepillarme los dientes.Tatoeba #566551 by Shishir, translation #263601 by CK
- Me gusta cepillarme los dientes con esta pasta dental.I like to brush my teeth with this toothpaste.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference while using the phrase cepillarme los dientes.Tatoeba #2573882 by cueyayotl, translation #1762318 by Amastan
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are getting ready for bed in their shared apartment.
- SofíaVoy al baño a cepillarme los dientes.I am going to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
- MateoEstá bien, yo también voy a cepillarme los dientes.Okay, I am going to brush my teeth too.
- Sofía¿Podemos usar la pasta de fresa, Mateo?Can we use the strawberry toothpaste, Mateo?
- MateoSí, la pasta nueva está en el estante.Yes, the new toothpaste is on the shelf.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries los, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
