barrer el suelo
/bareɾ el swelo/from spelling rules
To sweep the floor in Spanish is to barrer el suelo.
This phrase is used to describe the action of cleaning a floor by using a broom to push away dust and dirt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the infinitive verb barrer (to sweep) and the noun phrase el suelo (the floor).
Which one should you use?
While barrer el suelo is a standard way to say this, barrer el piso is a common synonym where el piso is used instead of el suelo to refer to the floor.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, people frequently use the word piso instead of suelo when referring to the floor.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of sweeping the floor, you can use the gerund form of the verb, which is barriendo el suelo.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, barrer is used figuratively to mean winning a competition or a series of games by a landslide, similar to the English expression 'a clean sweep'.
- The Spanish verb barrer can be used to describe the act of erasing or wiping out a population or a city, often in a historical or military context.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, the word piso can mean both 'floor' and 'apartment', meaning barrer el piso could technically be interpreted as 'sweeping the apartment'.
Examples in context
- Tienes que barrer el suelo.You have to sweep the floor.This sentence is useful for expressing necessity regarding the action of barrer el suelo.Tatoeba #1751819 by Shishir, translation #10006693 by DJ_Saidez
- Haz el favor de barrer el suelo.Please sweep the floor.This sentence is useful for making a polite request to barrer el suelo.Tatoeba #7967762 by Seael, translation #7967750 by CK
- Todo lo que tienes que hacer es barrer el suelo.All you have to do is sweep the floor.This sentence is useful for stating that the only task required is to barrer el suelo.Tatoeba #13651985 by mervert1, translation #1369535 by CK
- ¿Puedes barrer el piso antes de que lleguen los invitados?Can you sweep the floor before the guests arrive?
- No olvides barrir el suelo de la cocina.Don't forget to sweep the kitchen floor.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are at home cleaning the kitchen.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿puedes barrer el suelo?Daniel, can you sweep the floor?
- DanielSí, voy a barrer el suelo ahora mismo.Yes, I am going to sweep the floor right now.
- SofíaGracias, hay mucha tierra.Thanks, there is a lot of dirt.
- DanielNo te preocupes, ya lo haré.Don't worry, I'll do it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
