tintorería
/tintoɾeˈɾia/
The English phrase 'dry cleaners' is translated into Spanish as tintorería.
This term refers to a shop or business that cleans clothes using chemical solvents instead of water.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tintorería comes from tinte (dye), reflecting the historical connection between dyeing and specialized garment care.
Which one should you use?
Use tintorería specifically for dry cleaning involving chemical solvents. In contrast, lavandería refers to a business that primarily uses water and detergent, such as a laundromat or laundry.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so you should use the feminine article la when referring to the shop.
How do you pronounce it?
/tintoɾeˈɾia/
Did you know?
- Because the word is rooted in tinte, or 'dye', the name literally describes a shop where one changes the color of fabrics, even if the service provided today is only cleaning.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, calling a professional cleaning service a lavandería might lead you to a self-service laundromat with machines instead of a professional specialist.
- In Spanish, the word tinte meaning 'dye' is a direct relative of the English word 'tint', showing how both languages preserved the idea of coloring fabric from the same Latin root.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, ¿sabe dónde puedo encontrar una lavandería en seco cerca de aquí?Good morning, do you know where I can find a dry cleaner around here?
- Disculpe, ¿conoce alguna tintorería confiable en la zona?Excuse me, do you know any reliable dry cleaners in the area?
- Tengo que llevar este traje a la tintorería.I have to take this suit to the dry cleaners.
- Tengo que ir a la tintorería.I have to go to the dry cleaners.
- ¿Dónde hay una tintorería cerca de aquí?Where is there a dry cleaners near here?
- Dejé mi traje en la tintorería.I left my suit at the dry cleaners.
Example conversation
Lucía is asking Alejandro for help with a chore.
- AlejandroHola, Lucía. ¿Qué pasa?Hi, Lucía. What's up?
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿puedes ir a la tintorería por mí?Alejandro, can you go to the dry cleaners for me?
- AlejandroSí, no hay problema.Yes, no problem.
- LucíaMuchas gracias, eres muy amable.Thank you so much, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tintorería, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
