lavo
/labo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I wash" is said as lavo.
lavo is used to express that the speaker is currently performing the action of cleaning something with water.
Which one should you use?
The infinitive lavar is used to express the general action of to wash, whereas the specific form lavo specifies that "I" am the one performing the action in the present.
How does it change in a sentence?
lavo is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb lavar. When you are washing parts of your own body, you typically use the reflexive form me lavo rather than just lavo. Additionally, when using the reflexive me lavo for body parts, Spanish uses definite articles like las or los instead of possessive adjectives like "my".
How do you pronounce it?
/labo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Instead of saying you wash yourself using just lavo, use the reflexive form me lavo when referring to washing parts of your own body.
Did you know?
- The verb lavar is a cognate of the English word 'lavatory'. While 'lavatory' now refers to the room, it literally means 'a place for washing'.
- The word lavado can refer to both the act of washing and a specific artistic technique of using diluted paint to create a watercolor effect.
- If you say lavo las manos instead of me lavo las manos, you might sound like you are washing someone else's hands, such as a baby's or a patient's.
Examples in context
- Me lavo las manos.I wash my hands.This sentence shows the use of lavo with the reflexive me and the definite article for body parts.Tatoeba #1305230 by Shishir, translation #646252 by aandrusiak
- Me lavo los calcetines.I wash my socks.Tatoeba #888601 by inmachan, translation #437148 by lukaszpp
- Me lavo la cara cada mañana.I wash my face every morning.Tatoeba #1427866 by Shishir, translation #261837 by CK
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about chores in the kitchen.
- SofíaYo lavo los platos ahora.I wash the dishes now.
- JavierGracias, Sofía. Yo seco todo.Thanks, Sofía. I dry everything.
- SofíaTambién lavo la mesa.I wash the table too.
- JavierPerfecto, Javier te ayudará después.Perfect, Javier will help you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
