limpiar
/limˈpjaɾ/
To clean up in Spanish is to say limpiar.
The verb limpiar is used to express the idea of making an area or a thing clean. Unlike the English phrasal verb 'clean up', the Spanish verb limpiar does not require a particle to express the idea of tidying or cleaning an area.
Meaning: to make an area or a thing clean (verb)
Which one should you use?
While limpiar means to clean, it is also the standard verb used for 'to wipe' (e.g., 'limpiar la mesa' can mean to clean the table or to wipe the table).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, recoger may be used to convey the meaning of 'clean up'.
How does it change in a sentence?
limpiar is a regular -ar verb in the present tense. The first-person singular preterite form of 'limpiar' is limpié.
How do you pronounce it?
/limˈpjaɾ/
Did you know?
- In a professional context, a limpieza de sangre was a historical process in Spain to prove one had no Jewish or Muslim ancestry.
- The word limpio is used in the common expression quedar limpio, which can mean both to be physically clean and to be completely broke or without money.
- Spanish speakers use the word limpia to describe a specific type of spiritual cleaning ritual meant to remove negative energy from a home.
Examples in context
- Debemos limpiar la cocina.We must clean up the kitchen.Tatoeba #624783 by Leono, translation #263141 by CK
- Él me ayudó a limpiar el desorden.He helped me clean up the mess.Tatoeba #1945351 by marcelostockle, translation #1944100 by Spamster
- Ayudé a Tom a limpiar el desastre.I helped Tom clean up the mess.Tatoeba #7917938 by fpp, translation #6250283 by CK
- Por favor, limpie su habitación antes de salir.Please clean up your room before leaving.
- El personal de limpieza debe limpiar la casa todos los días.The cleaning staff should clean up the house every day.
- Después de la comida, todos deben limpiar la mesa.After the meal, everyone should clean up the table.
- Vamos a arreglar la sala antes de que lleguen los invitados.Let's clean up the living room before the guests arrive.
- Ordena tu habitación antes de que mamá regrese.Clean up your room before mom comes back.
- Siempre estoy dispuesto a darle una mano al abuelo con las tareas de limpieza.I'm always ready to give a hand to grandpa with the cleaning chores.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are preparing for guests to arrive at their house.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿puedes ayudarme a limpiar la sala?Daniel, can you help me clean the living room?
- DanielSí, Elena, yo la limpiaré ahora.Yes, Elena, I will clean it now.
- ElenaGracias, falta mucho por limpiar.Thanks, there is a lot left to clean.
- DanielNo te preocupes, terminaremos pronto.Don't worry, we will finish soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean up” translations and entries limpiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
