Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ropa sucia | /ropa suθja/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /ropa susja/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| colada | /koˈlada/ | feminine |
| lavado | /laˈbado/ | masculine |
The term used depends on whether you are referring to the items themselves, the process of washing them or the result of the wash. For example, to say 'laundry service', you would use servicio de lavandería.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ropa sucia literally translates to 'dirty clothes'.
Which one should you use?
Use ropa sucia when referring to the physical items of clothing that are dirty. Use colada to refer to the load of laundry or the task of washing (the batch/process). Use lavado to refer to the state of being washed or the specific wash/cycle itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Colada is particularly popular in Spain and some Latin American countries. In certain regions, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the word lavadero is used to refer to both a laundry facility and the act of doing laundry. In some Spanish-speaking countries, like Mexico and parts of South America, tintorería is the term for professional dry cleaning services.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ropa sucia and colada are feminine nouns, while lavado is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ropa suθja/
Did you know?
- The phrase lavar la ropa sucia is used in an idiomatic sense to mean 'airing dirty laundry', referring to revealing private or embarrassing secrets in public.
- The Spanish word lavado shares the same linguistic roots as the English word 'lavatory', as both come from the Latin word for 'to wash' (lavare).
- While ropa sucia refers to dirty clothes, the term ropa blanca specifically refers to linens, towels and bedsheets, regardless of whether they are clean or dirty.
Examples in context
- No tengo tiempo para hacer la colada.I don't have time to do the laundry.This sentence is useful for describing a lack of time to perform the task of washing with colada.Tatoeba #1686923 by Shishir, translation #1655807 by Spamster
- Voy a hacer la colada con detergente en polvo.I'm going to do the laundry with powder detergent.This sentence shows how to describe washing with a specific type of detergent using colada.Tatoeba #9017473 by Shishir, translation #10196794 by DJ_Saidez
- Tom metió accidentalmente su teléfono entre la ropa sucia.Tom accidentally put his phone in with the laundry.This sentence shows a situation where an object was misplaced among the physical items of ropa sucia.Tatoeba #10065241 by manufrutos, translation #10064894 by tsp_2
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar una lavandería cerca de aquí?Where can I find a laundry nearby?
- El hotel ofrece un servicio de lavandería de alta calidad.The hotel offers a high-quality laundry service.
- ¿Me ayudas a recoger la colada?Can you help me gather the laundry?
- ¿Ya lavaste la ropa sucia?Did you already wash the dirty clothes?
- Necesito llevar este traje a la tintorería.I need to take this suit to the dry cleaners.
- Voy a ir al lavadero a lavar la ropa.I'm going to the laundry to wash the clothes.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is tidying up their apartment.
- AlejandroElena, ¿podrías recoger tu ropa sucia?Elena, could you pick up your dirty laundry?
- ElenaSí, la recogeré ahora mismo.Yes, I will pick it up right now.
- AlejandroGracias, la habitación se ve mucho mejor así.Thanks, the room looks much better this way.
- ElenaDe nada, Alejandro.You're welcome, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “laundry” translations and entries colada, lavado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lavado, ropa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
