limpiar
/limˈpjaɾ/
To clean in Spanish is limpiar.
The verb limpiar is a transitive verb used to describe the action of removing dirt from a place or an object.
Meaning: (transitive) to remove dirt from a place or object (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use the verb limpiar to express the action of cleaning, but use the adjective limpio to describe a person or thing that is in a state of being clean.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form of the verb limpiar is limpio. This adjective must agree in gender with the noun it describes, changing to limpia when describing feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/limˈpjaɾ/
Did you know?
- To say something is 'crystal clean', Spanish speakers use the phrase limpio como una patena. This refers to a patena, a small metal plate used in the Catholic Mass.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you say someone has a limpio heart, you are not talking about hygiene, but rather describing them as a person with pure or noble intentions.
- The word limpiar shares an ancient root with the English word 'limpid', used to describe water that is perfectly clear or transparent.
Examples in context
- Debo limpiar el baño.I have to clean the bathroom.This sentence shows how to use limpiar when discussing a chore like cleaning the bathroom.Tatoeba #6945503 by arh, translation #6944262 by CK
- Lo limpiaré más tarde.I will clean this up later.This sentence demonstrates the use of limpiar when referring to cleaning an object or situation later.Tatoeba #6628054 by Schuager, translation #6628052 by Schuager
- Vamos a limpiar la casa.Let's clean the house.This sentence illustrates the use of limpiar in the context of cleaning a house.Tatoeba #4772098 by DarkHollow, translation #3392693 by CK
- 118 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are in their living room looking at the clutter.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿puedes limpiar la mesa?Alejandro, can you clean the table?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, la limpiaré ahora mismo.Yes, Elena, I will clean it right now.
- ElenaGracias, yo voy a limpiar el suelo.Thanks, I am going to clean the floor.
- AlejandroPerfecto, terminaremos pronto.Perfect, we will finish soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean” translations and entries limpiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries limpiar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
