fregadero
/fɾeɡaˈdeɾo/
The Spanish word for "dish sink" is fregadero.
Fregadero refers specifically to the fixed basin found in a kitchen used for washing dishes and food. If you are referring to a sink in a bathroom, you should use the word lavabo instead.
Which one should you use?
The term lavabo is used to describe a sink or washbasin located in a bathroom. Additionally, in some Latin American countries, the word pila may be used to refer to a laundry sink rather than a dish sink.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Latin America, be aware that pila might refer to a laundry sink specifically.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of fregadero is fregaderos.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɾeɡaˈdeɾo/
Did you know?
- While fregadero is the standard term, some regions use pileta for a kitchen sink. This can cause confusion because pileta can also mean a swimming pool depending on the country.
- Spanish distinguishes between cleaning the sink and cleaning the dishes. You use the verb fregar for the fregadero and floors, but lavar for the actual dishes.
- The word fregadero comes from the verb fregar, which means 'to scrub' or 'to rub'. This connects the object directly to the physical action performed inside it.
Examples in context
- Por favor, lava los platos y colócalos en el lavadero de platos.Please wash the dishes and put them in the dish sink.
- Después de comer, asegúrate de lavar todo en el fregadero de platos.After eating, make sure to wash everything in the dish sink.
- El fregadero está muy sucio.The dish sink is very dirty.
- Pon los vasos en el fregadero.Put the glasses in the sink.
- Hay mucha agua en el fregadero.There is a lot of water in the sink.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are cleaning the kitchen together.
- MaríaMateo, pon las verduras en el fregadero.Mateo, put the vegetables in the sink.
- MateoEstá bien, ya lo hago.All right, I'm doing it now.
- MaríaNo olvides lavar el fregadero al final.Don't forget to wash the sink at the end.
- MateoClaro, yo me encargo de eso.Sure, I'll take care of that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fregadero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fregadero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
