desinfectar
/desinfeɡˈtaɾ/
To disinfect in Spanish is to say desinfectar.
The verb desinfectar means to sterilize something through the use of a cleaning agent.
Meaning: sterilize by the use of cleaning agent (verb)
Which one should you use?
While desinfectar is the verb used for the action, the noun desinfectante refers to the actual substance or disinfectant used to perform the task.
How does it change in a sentence?
desinfectar is a regular -ar verb. In the present indicative tense, the forms are: desinfecto (I disinfect), desinfectas (you disinfect), desinfecta (he/she/it disinfects), desinfectamos (we disinfect) and desinfectan (they disinfect). The past participle is desinfectado, which can be used as an adjective or to form perfect tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
/desinfeɡˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The root of the word, 'infectar', comes from the Latin 'inficere', which originally meant 'to dye' or 'to stain' something.
- In a medical context, saying desinfectar instead of esterilizar can be a serious mistake. The former implies a general cleaning, while the latter refers to a total removal of all microorganisms via high heat.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, people colloquially use the noun desinfectante to refer to almost any household surface cleaner, even if the product does not actually possess disinfecting properties.
Examples in context
- Usa limón para desinfectar.Use lemon to disinfect.This sentence shows how to use desinfectar to describe using lemon for disinfection.Tatoeba #7739308 by arh, translation #7822732 by eggershead
- Es importante desinfectar todas las superficies regularmente.It is important to disinfect all surfaces regularly.
- Por favor, desinfecte las áreas de contacto con productos germicidas.Please disinfect the high-touch areas using germicidal products.
- No olvides limpiar con desinfectante los objetos que utilizas con frecuencia.Don't forget to disinfect the objects you use frequently.
- Vamos a matar los gérmenes con productos de limpieza adecuados.Let's kill the germs with appropriate cleaning products.
- El personal de limpieza debe desinfectar las aulas después de cada clase.The cleaning staff should disinfect the classrooms after each class.
- María está utilizando productos desinfectantes para limpiar el baño.María is using disinfectant products to clean the bathroom.
- Es importante desinfectar las manos con frecuencia para prevenir enfermedades.It is important to disinfect your hands frequently to prevent illnesses.
- No se olviden de desinfectar los juguetes antes de que los niños jueguen con ellos.Don't forget to disinfect the toys before the children play with them.
- Recuerda desinfectar los pomos de las puertas para evitar la propagación de gérmenes.Remember to disinfect the doorknobs to prevent the spread of germs.
- Desinfectemos las superficies para mantener un ambiente limpio y saludable.Let's disinfect the surfaces to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
- Debes desinfectar las superficies después de cocinar.You must disinfect the surfaces after cooking.
- ¿Podemos desinfectar los juguetes de los niños?Can we disinfect the children's toys?
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are in the kitchen cleaning up.
- MaríaAlejandro, necesito desinfectar la mesa.Alejandro, I need to disinfect the table.
- AlejandroYo puedo desinfectarla por ti, María.I can disinfect it for you, María.
- MaríaGracias, usa el spray de limpieza.Thanks, use the cleaning spray.
- AlejandroClaro, ahora la mesa está limpia.Sure, now the table is clean.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disinfect” translations and entries desinfectar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
