Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| secadora | /sekadoɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| secarropas | /sekaropas/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the machine used for drying clothes.
What does it mean word for word?
The word secadora is derived from the verb secar, which means to dry. The word secarropas is a compound of secar (to dry) and ropa (clothes).
Which one should you use?
secadora is the standard term used in most Spanish-speaking countries, whereas secarropas is a common alternative in certain regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
secarropas is frequently used in the Rioplatense / Southern Cone region, including Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. In Spain, Argentina and Uruguay, a dryer can also be referred to as el secador de ropa. In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and parts of Central America, la máquina de secar is used to express a clothes dryer.
How does it change in a sentence?
secadora is a feminine noun, while secarropas is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/sekadoɾa/
Did you know?
- The word secadora can also be used to refer to a hair dryer, showing that the same noun functions for different types of drying machines.
- The Spanish word secar shares an ancient root with the Latin word siccus, meaning 'dry'.
- Despite meaning the same thing, secadora is a feminine noun and secarropas is a masculine noun.
Examples in context
- Puse mi ropa en la secadora.I put my clothes in the dryer.This sentence is useful for describing the action of putting clothes in the secadora.Tatoeba #10507953 by arh, translation #2389906 by CK
- No tenemos ningún secarropas.We don't have a tumble dryer.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not possess a secarropas.Tatoeba #5058380 by don_ramon, translation #718777 by sundown
- No tengo secadora en el apartamento.I don't have a dryer in my apartment.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not have a secadora in an apartment.Tatoeba #6816357 by arh, translation #9643984 by DJ_Saidez
- Por favor, ¿podría indicarme dónde se encuentra la secadora en este edificio?Please, could you indicate to me where the dryer is located in this building?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are in their laundry room.
- Javier¿Dónde está la secadora?Where is the dryer?
- SofíaEstá al lado de la lavadora.It is next to the washing machine.
- JavierEsta secadora es muy ruidosa.This dryer is very noisy.
- SofíaSí, es un modelo viejo.Yes, it is an old model.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dryer” translations and entries secadora, secarropas, 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 secadora, secarropas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
