Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| frotar | /fɾoˈtaɾ/ |
| fregar | /fɾeˈɡaɾ/ |
| estregar | /estɾeˈɡaɾ/ |
| refrotar | /refɾotaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| refregar | /refɾeˈɡaɾ/ |
| restregar | /restɾeˈɡaɾ/ |
| fricar | /fɾikaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| friccionar | /fɾiɡθjoˈnaɾ/ /fɾiɡsjoˈnaɾ/ |
| ludir | /luˈdiɾ/ |
| colidir (desus.) |
The primary meaning of these words is to move one object while maintaining contact with another object over some area. frotar is the most appropriate verb for everyday contexts, such as rubbing your hands together for warmth or rubbing lotion onto your skin. The nouns frotación, frotamiento and frote refer to the act of rubbing.
Which one should you use?
frotar is the standard, neutral term for the physical act of rubbing surfaces together. In contrast, restregar implies a more vigorous, repetitive or forceful rubbing motion, which is often used when cleaning or scrubbing. For technical applications where the focus is on the physical phenomenon of friction, use friccionar. Other forms include fricar, refrotar, refregar and ludir, as well as the obsolete colidir.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
fregar is considered colloquial and vulgar. friccionar is a technical term used when discussing the physical concept of friction.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the verb restregar is commonly used to mean 'to rub'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/fɾoˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- While restregar describes a vigorous scrubbing motion, it is often used metaphorically in Spanish to mean 'rubbing it in' when reminding someone of a mistake.
- The Spanish word frotar did not evolve directly from Latin, but was instead borrowed from the French word frotter.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, fregar is used as a slang term meaning 'to mess up' or 'to ruin' something, far beyond its meaning of rubbing or scrubbing.
Examples in context
- ¿Me frotarías los hombros?Will you rub my shoulders?This sentence uses frotar to ask for a shoulder rub.Tatoeba #1386534 by marcelostockle, translation #681973 by Source_VOA
- ¿Puedes frotar sobre mi un poco de loción de bronceado?Could you rub some suntan lotion on me?This sentence uses frotar to ask someone to apply lotion.Tatoeba #5783591 by albrusgher, translation #5193116 by Hybrid
- ¿Me puedes frotar los hombros?Can you rub my shoulders?Tatoeba #3484544 by Euskaranto, translation #2439722 by Hybrid
- Por favor, frote mi espalda suavemente.Please rub my back gently.
- El médico me aconsejó frotar la pomada en la rodilla.The doctor advised me to rub the ointment on my knee.
- ¿Puedes masajearme los hombros? Los siento tensos.Could you rub my shoulders? They feel tense.
- Le gusta masajear la barriga de su perro.She likes to rub her dog's belly.
- Se restregó los ojos después de un largo día de trabajo.He rubbed his eyes after a long day of work.
- Se fregó las sienes para aliviar el dolor de cabeza.She rubbed her temples to relieve the headache.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are in the kitchen cleaning a stubborn stain.
- JavierNo sale la mancha, ¿qué hago?The stain won't come off, what should I do?
- SofíaTienes que frotar con más fuerza, Javier.You have to rub harder, Javier.
- JavierEstá bien, voy a frotar un poco más.Alright, I'm going to rub a bit more.
- SofíaAhora sí, ya quedó limpio.There we go, now it's clean.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rub” translations and entries frotar, fregar, estregar, refregar, restregar, friccionar, ludir, 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 estregar, fregar, frotar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
