fregar
/fɾeˈɡaɾ/
The English phrase scrubbing is translated into Spanish as fregar.
The primary meaning of fregar is the act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it hard with a brush or cloth. fregar is the most common verb used specifically for 'to wash the dishes'.
Which one should you use?
The verb lavar can encompass scrubbing in some regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, fregar can mean 'to bother' or 'to annoy'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The present participle (gerund) of fregar is fregando, which is used to express the continuous action of scrubbing.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɾeˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Latin ancestor of fregar, 'fricāre', is the direct origin of the English word 'friction'.
- While it means 'to scrub' or 'to annoy' in Mexico, in some other Latin American regions, fregar can be used as a slang term for 'to mess up' or 'to ruin' a situation.
- The verb fregar is the basis for the common noun fregona, which refers specifically to the mop used for scrubbing floors.
Examples in context
- Estoy fregando el sueloI am scrubbing the floor
- Debo fregar los platosI need to wash the dishes
- Debes limpiar con fuerza para eliminar la suciedadYou should scrub vigorously to remove the dirt
- Voy a restregar la mancha hasta que desaparezcaI am going to scrub the stain until it disappears
- Voy a fregar los platos suciosI am going to scrub the dirty dishes
- Lava a fondo el piso del bañoScrub the bathroom floor thoroughly
- Tengo que fregar el suelo de la cocina.I have to scrub the kitchen floor.
- ¿Puedes ayudarme a fregar la mesa?Can you help me scrub the table?
Example conversation
Daniel and María are cleaning the bathroom together.
- DanielMaría, ¿puedes ayudarme a fregar la bañera?María, can you help me scrub the bathtub?
- MaríaSí, Daniel, dame el cepillo ahora mismo.Yes, Daniel, give me the brush right now.
- DanielTen cuidado, el jabón resbala mucho.Be careful, the soap is very slippery.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, ya casi termino de fregar.Don't worry, I'm almost finished scrubbing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fregar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fregar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
