Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hidrolavadora | /idɾolabadoɾa/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, feminine |
| Mexico | /meɡsiko/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial |
| Spain | /spain/ (from spelling rules) | |
| hidrolimpiadora | /idɾolimpjadoɾa/ (from spelling rules) | Spain, feminine |
| hidrojet | /idɾoxet/ (from spelling rules) | Venezuela, masculine |
| karcher | /kaɾˌt͡ʃeɾ/ | feminine, masculine |
| máquina de lavado a presión | /makina de labado a pɾesjon/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
You can refer to it using several different terms depending on the level of formality or your location. While hidrolavadora is a standard term, people often use the brand name karcher colloquially to refer to any such machine.
What does it mean word for word?
The word hidrolavadora is a compound formed from the prefix hidro- (meaning water) and lavadora (meaning washer).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word often depends on your region. In much of Latin America, hidrolavadora is the preferred term, whereas in Spain, hidrolimpiadora, which literally means "hydro-cleaner", is more common.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a very formal or descriptive approach, you can use the phrase máquina de lavado a presión (pressure washing machine) or Máquina de Limpieza a Presión.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Venezuela, the term hidrojet is commonly used to refer to a pressure washer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun hidrolavadora is feminine and requires feminine articles, such as la or una. The term hidrojet is masculine, and the term karcher can be used as either feminine or masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/idɾolabadoɾa/
Did you know?
- The prefix hidro- in many Spanish terms shares a common ancestor with the English word 'water', tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *wed-.
- The suffix -dor or -dora used in lavadora or limpiadora actually functions to turn a verb into a noun that represents the agent performing the action.
- Because karcher can be used as either a masculine or feminine noun, its gender in a sentence can depend entirely on whether the speaker is thinking of the 'machine' or the 'brand'.
Examples in context
- Necesito una máquina de limpieza a presión para lavar el garajeI need a pressure washer to clean the garage
- Necesito comprar una hidrolavadora nueva.I need to buy a new pressure washer.
- La hidrolavadora tiene mucha presión.The pressure washer has a lot of pressure.
- Usa la hidrolavadora para limpiar el patio.Use the pressure washer to clean the patio.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are in the garage looking at cleaning supplies.
- Mateo¿Dónde dejaste la hidrolavadora, María?Where did you leave the pressure washer, María?
- MaríaEstá en el garaje, Mateo.It is in the garage, Mateo.
- MateoPerfecto, la usaré para lavar el auto.Perfect, I will use it to wash the car.
- MaríaTen cuidado con la presión.Be careful with the pressure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pressure washer” translations and entries hidrolavadora, hidrolimpiadora, hidrojet, karcher, máquina de lavado a presión, 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 hidrolavadora, hidrolimpiadora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
