lavar los platos
/labaɾ los platos/from spelling rules
To say 'do the dishes' in Spanish, use lavar los platos.
While the phrase specifically refers to plates, it serves as the standard way to express the general task of cleaning all the dishes used.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, lavar los platos means 'to wash the plates'.
Which one should you use?
While lavar los platos specifically mentions plates, it is the standard way to express the general task of 'doing the dishes' in Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, it is common to use lavar la vajilla to refer to washing the tableware.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the infinitive lavar. If you wish to say 'I wash the dishes', you must conjugate the verb to lavo los platos.
How do you pronounce it?
/labaɾ los platos/
Did you know?
- The verb lavar is a cognate of the English word 'lavatory'. While 'lavatory' now refers to the room, it literally means a place for washing.
- In some regions, using fregar instead of lavar emphasizes the physical act of scrubbing, as fregar can also mean 'to scrub the floors'.
- The word vajilla is used in Spain to describe a formal dinner service, making lavar la vajilla sound more sophisticated than the daily lavar los platos.
Examples in context
- Necesito lavar los platos.I need to do the dishes.This sentence shows how to express a necessity regarding lavar los platos.Tatoeba #13714381 by ecorralest101, translation #6809288 by Eccles17
- No quiero lavar los platos.I don't want to do the dishes.This sentence shows how to express a lack of desire regarding lavar los platos.Tatoeba #13714471 by ecorralest101, translation #8868445 by shekitten
- Yo acostumbro a lavar los platos.I usually do the dishes.This sentence shows how to express a habit regarding lavar los platos.Tatoeba #1196529 by marcelostockle, translation #244971 by CK
- ¿Puedes lavar los trastes después de la comida, por favor?Can you do the dishes after the meal, please?
- Después de cenar, tienes que fregar los platos.After dinner, you have to do the dishes.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are cleaning up after dinner.
- MaríaYo cociné, así que te toca lavar los platos.I cooked, so it's your turn to do the dishes.
- JavierEstá bien, yo voy a lavar los platos ahora.That's fine, I'm going to do the dishes now.
- MaríaGracias, Javier. Eres muy amable.Thank you, Javier. You are very kind.
- JavierNo hay problema, María.No problem, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
