limpia tu desastre
/limpja tu desastɾe/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'clean up your mess' can be translated into Spanish as limpia tu desastre.
This phrase is used as a request or command to tidy up a dirty or disorganized area that someone has created. While limpia tu desastre is a direct way to express this, you can also use the verb recoger (to pick up or collect) as a very common alternative to limpiar when referring to tidying up scattered objects.
Which one should you use?
While limpia tu desastre focuses on cleaning, recoge tu desastre or recoge tu desorden focuses on picking up the mess. Additionally, you can use limpia tu desorden, por favor as an informal way to say 'Clean up your mess'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American countries, the informal expression recoge tu desorden is commonly used to mean 'pick up your mess'.
Did you know?
- The word desastre shares a surprising history with the English word 'disaster', as both stem from the Old French and Occitan roots meaning a 'bad arrangement' of stars.
- If you tell someone limpia tu desastre in a very formal setting, it might sound unexpectedly harsh or even aggressive, as the phrase carries a strong accusatory tone.
- Spanish speakers often describe the state of a mess using the adjectives sucio or desordenado instead of using a noun like 'mess'.
Examples in context
- Señor, por favor, limpie su desorden en la sala de reunionesSir, please clean up your mess in the meeting room.
- Juan, por favor, recoge tu desorden antes de salirJuan, please pick up your mess before leaving.
- Amigos, limpien su desorden en la cocina, ¿sí?Friends, clean up your mess in the kitchen, okay?
Example conversation
Javier finds the living room disorganized after Elena's art project.
- JavierElena, limpia tu desastre del salón, por favor.Elena, clean up your mess in the living room, please.
- ElenaLo haré en cinco minutos, Javier.I will do it in five minutes, Javier.
- JavierNo, hazlo ya porque vamos a comer.No, do it now because we are going to eat.
- ElenaEstá bien, voy a recoger todo ahora.Alright, I am going to pick everything up now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desastre, limpia, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
