lavandería
/labandeˈɾia/
The Spanish word for laundromat is lavandería.
lavandería is used to refer to a laundromat, which is a self-service facility where people pay to use professional washing machines and dryers. While it can also refer to a laundry service where staff wash your clothes, it remains the standard term for a self-service laundromat.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the verb lavar (to wash) and the suffix -ería, which denotes a place or shop where a specific activity is performed.
Which one should you use?
lavandería is the common term for both a laundromat and a laundry service. For a more formal way to specify a self-service laundry, you can use lavandería de autoservicio.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and some Latin American countries, be careful not to confuse a laundromat with a tintorería, as tintorería refers specifically to a dry cleaner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of lavandería is lavanderías.
How do you pronounce it?
/labandeˈɾia/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the lavandería was historically a social hub where women gathered to wash clothes by hand in communal stone basins.
- The term lavandera refers to the person who washes clothes, a role that historically held a specific social class and identity in Spanish colonies.
- The suffix -ería in lavandería is a common way to name shops in Spanish, such as in panadería for a bakery or librería for a bookstore.
Examples in context
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo encontrar una lavandería automática por aquí?Do you know where I can find a laundromat around here?
- Sí, hay una lavandería automática justo al lado del supermercado.Yes, there is a laundromat right next to the supermarket.
- Necesito lavar mi ropa, ¿dónde está la lavandería más cercana?I need to wash my clothes, where is the nearest laundromat?
- Hay una lavandería de autoservicio a unas cuadras de aquí.There is a self-service laundry a few blocks from here.
- La lavandería está cerca de aquí.The laundromat is near here.
- Necesito ir a la lavandería hoy.I need to go to the laundromat today.
- Hay una lavandería abierta las veinticuatro horas.There is a laundromat open twenty-four hours a day.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing their weekend plans.
- Daniel¿Vas a la lavandería este sábado?Are you going to the laundromat this Saturday?
- LucíaSí, tengo mucha ropa sucia.Yes, I have a lot of dirty clothes.
- DanielYo también tengo que ir a la lavandería.I also have to go to the laundromat.
- LucíaPodemos ir juntos si quieres.We can go together if you want.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lavandería, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
