limpieza en seco
/limpjeθa en seko/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "dry cleaning" is translated into Spanish as limpieza en seco. Wiktionary also lists lavado en seco.
Meaning: process of cleaning without water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| limpieza en seco | /limpjeθa en seko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /limpjesa en seko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| lavado en seco | /labado en seko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the process of cleaning without water. If you want to refer specifically to the establishment where you take clothes for dry cleaning, use the noun la tintorería.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase limpieza en seco is composed of limpieza (cleaning), en (in) and seco (dry).
Which one should you use?
The two forms provided are limpieza en seco and lavado en seco. The former is a feminine noun, while the latter is a masculine noun. Both describe the process of cleaning without water.
Did you know?
- While limpieza en seco translates to 'dry cleaning', the establishment where this happens, la tintorería, literally means 'the dye shop'.
- The word lavado is derived from the Latin lavō, which is the same root that produced the English word 'lavatory'.
- The Spanish suffix -eza used in limpieza is used to turn adjectives into abstract nouns, similar to the English suffix '-ness' in 'cleanliness'.
Examples in context
- Necesito llevar este traje a la tintorería para una limpieza en seco.I need to take this suit to the dry cleaner's for dry cleaning.
- La limpieza en seco es más cara.Dry cleaning is more expensive.
- Pregunta si ofrecen la limpieza en seco.Ask if they offer dry cleaning.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their clothes.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿dónde dejaste el saco?Alejandro, where did you leave the jacket?
- AlejandroLo llevé a limpieza en seco ayer.I took it for dry cleaning yesterday.
- Elena¡Qué bien! ¿Cuándo lo recogen?Great! When do they pick it up?
- AlejandroLo tendré listo el viernes.I will have it ready on Friday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dry cleaning” translations and entries limpieza en seco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, lavado, limpieza, seco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
