quitar el polvo
/kitaɾ el polbo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'dusting' is translated into Spanish as quitar el polvo.
Meaning: removing dust (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb quitar (to remove/take away), the article el (the) and the noun polvo (dust).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of 'dusting' (the gerund), use the form quitando el polvo.
Did you know?
- While quitar el polvo means 'dusting' in a cleaning context, the word polvo is also used in Spanish slang to refer to the act of having sex.
- The Spanish word quitar is a distant relative of the English words 'quiet' and 'quit'. All three originate from Latin roots associated with being set free or released.
- The Spanish word polvo can also mean 'powder', such as in the context of 'polvos faciales' for makeup.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes ayudarme a quitar el polvo de los muebles, por favor?Can you help me dust the furniture, please?
- Hoy tengo que limpiar el polvo de toda la casa.Today I have to clean the dust from the whole house.
- Estoy quitando el polvo de los libros.I am dusting the books.
- Me toca quitar el polvo de la estantería.It is my turn to dust the shelf.
- No olvides quitar el polvo de los libros.Don't forget to dust the books.
- Quitar el polvo es una tarea aburrida.Dusting is a boring task.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are cleaning their living room on a Saturday morning.
- Daniel¿Puedes ayudarme a quitar el polvo?Can you help me with the dusting?
- MaríaSí, yo quitaré el polvo de la mesa.Yes, I will dust the table.
- DanielGracias, María, así terminaremos más rápido.Thanks, María, that way we will finish faster.
- MaríaDe nada, Daniel, vamos a hacerlo.You're welcome, Daniel, let's do it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, polvo, quitar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
