ve a lavarte los dientes
/be a labaɾte los djentes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "go brush your teeth" is translated into Spanish as ve a lavarte los dientes.
This phrase is used to give an instruction to someone to clean their teeth with a toothbrush.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ve a lavarte los dientes means "go to wash yourself the teeth".
Which one should you use?
While the default form uses lavarte (to wash yourself), other variations might use cepillarte (to brush yourself). For example, Ve a cepillarte los dientes is another way to express the instruction.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, ve a lavarte los dientes is a common variation used to say "go brush your teeth".
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice of verb can change the nuance of the instruction. Using the reflexive verb irse in the form vete a lavarte los dientes instead of ir can add a sense of "go away and do it" or "get going".
Did you know?
- The word ve is derived from the Latin vāde, which comes from the verb vādō, meaning 'to go' or 'to stride'.
- In ve a lavarte los dientes, Spanish uses the definite article los ('the') instead of a possessive pronoun like 'your'.
- Using the reflexive form vete instead of ve changes the command from a simple instruction to a request for the person to leave the room.
Examples in context
- Ve a lavarte los dientes.Go brush your teeth.This example shows the standard use of ve a lavarte los dientes.Tatoeba #5052132 by don_ramon, translation #1908472 by Spamster
- Taro, ve a lavarte los dientes.Taro, go brush your teeth.This example shows how to address someone specifically using ve a lavarte los dientes.Tatoeba #853727 by japegon, translation #852690 by Swift
- Antes de dormir, ve a lavarte los dientes.Before sleeping, go brush your teeth.
Example conversation
A father is telling his daughter it is time for bed.
- JavierLucía, ya es tarde.Lucía, it is late.
- LucíaNo quiero dormir todavía.I don't want to sleep yet.
- JavierPrimero, ve a lavarte los dientes.First, go brush your teeth.
- LucíaEstá bien, papá.Okay, dad.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, los, ve, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
