barrer
/baˈreɾ/
To sweep in Spanish is barrer.
The verb barrer means to clean using a broom or brush.
Meaning: to clean using a broom or brush (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of barrer is barro, and the gerund form is barriendo.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈreɾ/
Did you know?
- While barrer means to sweep, the word for 'mud' is barro. Although they look similar, they are unrelated in meaning.
- Spanish uses the verb barrer to describe the action of a wave washing away everything on a beach or shore.
- In some Latin American countries, the phrase barrer con alguien can mean to completely overwhelm or defeat someone in an argument or a fight.
Examples in context
- Le hice barrer el piso.I made him sweep the floor.This sentence shows how to use barrer when someone is made to perform the action.Tatoeba #1752529 by marcelostockle, translation #260438 by CK
- Mary quiere barrer la casa.Mary wants to sweep the house.This sentence illustrates the use of barrer with a verb expressing desire.Tatoeba #1496811 by marcelostockle, translation #1496797 by Spamster
- Tienes que barrer el suelo.You have to sweep the floor.This sentence shows how to use barrer to express necessity.Tatoeba #1751819 by Shishir, translation #10006693 by DJ_Saidez
- Debes limpiar con la escoba debajo de los muebles.You should sweep under the furniture.
- Mientras tú estás jugando, yo estaré barriendo la casa.While you are playing, I will be sweeping the house.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are cleaning their living room.
- JavierVoy a barrer la sala.I am going to sweep the living room.
- ElenaEstá bien, yo usaré la escoba.Okay, I will use the broom.
- Javier¿Puedes barrer también la cocina?Can you sweep the kitchen too?
- ElenaSí, la barreré después de comer.Yes, I will sweep it after eating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweep” translations and entries barrer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
