detergente
/deteɾˈxente/masculine
The English word 'detergent' is translated into Spanish as detergente.
Detergente refers to any non-soap cleaning agent, specifically synthetic surfactants. You can specify the physical form of the product by adding an adjective after the noun, such as detergente líquido for liquid detergent or detergente en polvo for powder detergent.
Meaning: any non-soap cleaning agent, especially a synthetic surfactant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While detergente refers specifically to synthetic cleaning agents, the word jabón is a more general term for soap.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun detergente is masculine, so it is used with masculine articles such as el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/deteɾˈxente/
Did you know?
- The word detergente shares the same Latin root as the English word 'deterge', which meant 'to wipe clean' or 'to purge'.
- The term detergente is often avoided in casual conversation in favor of brand names that have become genericized, similar to how 'Kleenex' is used for tissues in English.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, people use jabón to refer to both soap and laundry detergent, often ignoring the technical distinction between the two.
Examples in context
- Voy a hacer la colada con detergente en polvo.I'm going to do the laundry with powder detergent.This sentence shows how to use detergente when referring to powder detergent for laundry.Tatoeba #9017473 by Shishir, translation #10196794 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Has cambiado últimamente de jabón o de detergente para la ropa?Have you recently changed your soap or laundry detergent?This sentence uses detergente to ask about a change in laundry products.Tatoeba #10111219 by manufrutos, translation #9851478 by NurseMeeks
- Él bebió detergente por accidente.He drank detergent by accident.This sentence illustrates the use of detergente in the context of accidental ingestion.Tatoeba #3436183 by mov0021, translation #3444908 by LishaR
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar detergente?Where can I find detergent?
- Necesito comprar detergenteI need to buy detergent
- algo para lavar la ropaSomething for washing clothes
- un producto de limpieza para la ropaA cleaning product for clothes
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo encontrar detergente?Excuse me, where can I find detergent?
- Los detergentes están en el pasillo cinco.The detergents are in aisle five.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are in the supermarket.
- Alejandro¿Dónde está el detergente?Where is the detergent?
- ElenaEstá en el pasillo de limpieza, Alejandro.It is in the cleaning aisle, Alejandro.
- AlejandroGracias, ¿ves algún detergente de marca blanca?Thanks, do you see any store-brand detergent?
- ElenaSí, está justo en ese estante.Yes, it is right on that shelf.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “detergent” translations and entries detergente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
