Lavo los platos
/labo los platos/from spelling rules
Lavo los platos is the Spanish way to say "I wash the dishes".
This phrase is used to state that the speaker is cleaning plates and cutlery after a meal. While Lavo los platos focuses on plates, you can also use Lavo la vajilla to refer more broadly to the entire set of dishes and tableware.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase Lavo los platos, the word lavo comes from the verb lavar (to wash) and the ending -o indicates the first-person singular "I".
Which one should you use?
The word platos specifically means plates, whereas vajilla refers to the complete set of tableware. Additionally, in many parts of Latin America, people often use the word trastes instead of platos to refer to the dishes being washed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase Yo lavo los trastes is used in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. In Spain, Venezuela and parts of Colombia, you may hear Yo lavo la loza to mean "I wash the dishes."
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form lavar los platos is used when you want to say "to wash the dishes" rather than "I wash the dishes".
Did you know?
- Depending on where you are, the verb for 'to wash' can change from lavar to fregar. In certain regions, fregar los platos is the standard way to describe the scrubbing action of washing dishes.
- The word loza refers specifically to earthenware or glazed pottery, meaning that in regions using this term, the phrase literally describes washing the ceramic material of the dishes.
- While vajilla is a standard term for tableware, using it when talking about your daily chores can make the task sound unusually elegant or formal.
Examples in context
- Me toca lavar los platos.It's my turn to wash the dishes.
- Lavo los platos después de la cena.I wash the dishes after dinner.
- Yo lavo los platos en la cocina.I wash the dishes in the kitchen.
- No te preocupes, yo lavo los platos.Don't worry, I'll wash the dishes.
Example conversation
María and Javier are cleaning up the kitchen together.
- MaríaJavier, yo lavo los platos hoy.Javier, I wash the dishes today.
- JavierGracias, María. Yo seco todo.Thanks, María. I will dry everything.
- MaríaPerfecto, así terminamos más rápido.Perfect, that way we finish faster.
- JavierEstá bien, yo te ayudo.All right, I will help you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
