limpia tu habitación
/limpja tu abitaθjon/from spelling rules
The English phrase "clean up your room" is translated into Spanish as limpia tu habitación.
This phrase is used to organize and tidy a bedroom by putting things away.
What does it mean word for word?
The word limpia is the imperative (command) form of the verb limpiar, meaning "to clean". The word habitación literally means "room", though in many contexts it specifically refers to a bedroom.
Which one should you use?
The phrase ordena tu cuarto is a common alternative that focuses more on 'tidying' or 'ordering' than general cleaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form limpia tu habitación uses the informal imperative (tú), which is what a parent would typically use with a child.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American households, the command to clean a room is often paired with the phrase ponte las pilas, which literally means 'put in your batteries'.
- If a parent wants to be extremely firm, they might use the usted form limpie su habitación. This creates a cold, formal distance that signals the child is in serious trouble.
- The word habitación shares a root with the English word 'habitat'. Both derive from the Latin habitare, meaning 'to dwell'.
Examples in context
- Señor Rodríguez, por favor, limpie su habitación antes de que lleguen los invitados. ¡Gracias!Mr. Rodríguez, please clean your room before the guests arrive. Thank you!
- Hermano, limpia tu cuarto antes de que mamá regrese a casa. ¡Gracias, amigo!Brother, clean your room before Mom gets back. Thanks, buddy!
- Limpia tu habitación antes de salir.Clean up your room before going out.
- Por favor, limpia tu habitación ahora.Please, clean up your room now.
- Limpia tu habitación para recibir visitas.Clean up your room to receive guests.
Example conversation
A mother is talking to her son in the morning.
- SofíaAlejandro, limpia tu habitación de una vez.Alejandro, clean up your room once and for all.
- AlejandroEstá bien, mamá, lo haré ahora.Okay, mom, I will do it now.
- SofíaNo quiero ver ropa en el suelo.I don't want to see clothes on the floor.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, ya voy.Don't worry, I'm going.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
