cuarto de lavado
/kwaɾto de labado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "laundry room" is cuarto de lavado in Spanish.
Cuarto de lavado is used to describe a room specifically designated for doing laundry. You can also use the single word lavadero to refer to a laundry room or the specific area where clothes are washed.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cuarto de lavado is composed of cuarto (room), de (of) and lavado (washing).
Which one should you use?
Cuarto de lavado typically refers to a dedicated enclosed room, whereas lavadero can refer to a utility area or a specific washing station.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, lavadero is commonly used for a laundry room and can also refer to an outdoor sink or washing place. In parts of Mexico, you might hear patio de lavado or cuarto de lavandería to describe a laundry room.
Did you know?
- The word cuarto comes from the Latin 'quartus', meaning 'fourth'. This reflects an ancient way of dividing houses into four or five main sections.
- Historically, the lavadero was often a communal public space where women gathered to wash clothes and socialize.
- While cuarto de lavado is grammatically precise, in many homes, people simply refer to the area as 'el área de servicio' (the service area).
Examples in context
- El cuarto de lavado está en el sótanoThe laundry room is in the basement
- El lavadero se encuentra junto a la cocinaThe laundry room is located next to the kitchen
- La máquina de lavar está en el área de lavadoThe washing machine is in the laundry area
- Pon las sábanas a secar en la zona de lavadoPut the sheets to dry in the laundry area
- ¿Dónde está el cuarto de lavado?Where is the laundry room?
- El cuarto de lavado está limpio.The laundry room is clean.
- Necesito ir al cuarto de lavado ahora.I need to go to the laundry room now.
Example conversation
Alejandro is helping Lucía find where to wash her clothes.
- AlejandroLucía, el cuarto de lavado está junto a la cocina.Lucía, the laundry room is next to the kitchen.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro. ¿Hay detergente allí?Thanks, Alejandro. Is there detergent there?
- AlejandroSí, está sobre la mesa blanca.Yes, it is on the white table.
- LucíaPerfecto, voy ahora mismo.Perfect, I'm going right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarto, de, lavado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
