hacer buches y escupir
/aθeɾ but͡ʃes i eskupiɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "swish and spit" is translated into Spanish as hacer buches y escupir.
This phrase is used to describe the action of rinsing one's mouth with a liquid and then ejecting it.
What does it mean word for word?
The part hacer buches literally means "to make swishes" or "to make gargles", where buches refers to the mouthfuls of liquid used for rinsing.
Which one should you use?
While hacer buches refers to rinsing the mouth, hacer gárgaras y escupir specifically refers to gargling in the back of the throat.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, people may use the phrase enjuáguese y escupa.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the infinitive forms of the verbs hacer (to do/make) and escupir (to spit), which is the standard way to express an instruction or a general action.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ butʃes i eskupiɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word buche can refer to the crop of a bird, which is the pouch where food is stored before digestion.
- The verb hacer comes from the Latin 'facere', making it a distant relative of the English word 'factory', as both relate to the act of making or doing.
- In a medical or dental context, a Spanish speaker might use the verb enjuagar instead of hacer buches to sound more precise and professional.
Examples in context
- Por favor, gargarice y escupa tres veces al día para obtener mejores resultados.Please swish and spit three times a day for better results.
- Si tienes dolor de garganta, haz gárgaras y escupe el agua salada.If you have a sore throat, swish and spit the saltwater.
- Tienes que hacer buches y escupir el enjuague.You have to swish and spit the mouthwash.
- Es mejor hacer buches y escupir después de lavarse los dientes.It is better to swish and spit after brushing your teeth.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in a bathroom preparing for bed.
- Javier¿Cómo uso este enjuague bucal, Elena?How do I use this mouthwash, Elena?
- ElenaSolo tienes que hacer buches y escupir.You just have to swish and spit.
- JavierEntendido, lo haré ahora mismo.Got it, I will do it right now.
- ElenaMuy bien, Javier, no te lo tragues.Very well, Javier, don't swallow it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escupir, hacer, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
