lavamanos
/labaˈmanos/masculine
The English word sink (as a noun meaning basin) can be translated into Spanish using several terms depending on the location. The default form is lavamanos. Wiktionary also lists fregadero and lavadero.
Meaning: basin (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lavamanos | /labaˈmanos/ | masculine |
| fregadero | /fɾeɡaˈdeɾo/ | masculine |
| lavadero | /labaˈdeɾo/ | masculine |
| lavatrastos | /labatɾastos/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
In Spanish, the word for sink changes based on whether you are talking about a bathroom, a kitchen or a utility area.
Which one should you use?
Use lavamanos specifically for a bathroom sink or hand wash basin. Use fregadero specifically for a kitchen sink used for washing dishes. Use lavadero for a utility sink or laundry basin, which is often found in a laundry room or outdoors.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term lavatrastos is a colloquial way to refer to a kitchen sink in several Latin American countries.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word lavamanos is invariable in number, meaning it stays the same whether you are referring to one sink or multiple sinks.
How do you pronounce it?
/labaˈmanos/
Did you know?
- The word fregadero shares an ancient root with the English word 'friction'. Both stem from the Latin 'fricare', meaning 'to rub'.
- In some rural areas of Spain and Latin America, a lavadero is not just a sink but a large communal stone trough where whole villages once gathered to wash clothes.
- The term lavatrastos literally means 'dish washer'. In many Latin American homes, this refers to the sink itself rather than a mechanical dishwasher machine.
Examples in context
- Me lavo los pies en el lavamanos.I wash my feet in the sink.This sentence is useful for showing how to use lavamanos.Tatoeba #9167227 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9167228 by rafaeldejesus8199
- El fregadero está lleno de loza sucia.The sink is full of dirty dishes.This sentence is useful for showing how to use fregadero.Tatoeba #3052871 by marcelostockle, translation #3022382 by sharptoothed
- ¿Podrías poner los platos en el fregadero?Would you put the dishes in the sink?Tatoeba #1591018 by teskmon, translation #64477 by CK
- Señor García, el fregadero de su residencia necesita ser reparado.Mr. García, the sink in your residence needs to be repaired.
- Por favor, cuide de no obstruir el fregadero con restos de comida.Please be careful not to clog the sink with food scraps.
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo encontrar el lavabo más cercano?Excuse me, where can I find the nearest sink?
- El lavabo de este baño cuenta con agua caliente.The sink in this bathroom has hot water.
- Voy a lavar los platos en la pila de la cocina.I'm going to wash the dishes in the kitchen sink.
- Por favor, no dejes los restos de comida en la pila.Please don't leave food scraps in the sink.
- ¡Qué sucia está la tarja! Deberíamos limpiarla.The sink is so dirty! We should clean it.
- ¿Dónde puedo conseguir una tarja nueva para el baño?Where can I get a new sink for the bathroom?
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are in the bathroom of a hotel.
- DanielEl lavamanos no tiene agua.The sink has no water.
- LucíaDéjame llamar a la recepción, Daniel.Let me call the reception, Daniel.
- DanielEl lavamanos está muy sucio también.The sink is also very dirty.
- LucíaLo siento, buscaré un hotel mejor.I'm sorry, I will look for a better hotel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sink” translations and entries lavamanos, fregadero, lavadero, lavatrastos, 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 fregadero, lavadero, lavamanos, lavatrastos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
