bañarse
/baˈɲaɾse/
The English phrase 'take a bath' is translated into Spanish as bañarse.
The primary way to express this is through the verb bañarse. Other ways to express this idea include Tomar un baño, which is a neutral way to say 'take a bath' and Darse un baño de espuma, which refers specifically to taking a bath with foam or enjoying a bubble bath. The noun el baño can refer to the act of bathing, the bathtub itself or the bathroom.
Which one should you use?
While bañarse specifically implies taking a bath, often in a tub, the term ducharse is more commonly used when referring to taking a shower.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb bañarse is reflexive, meaning it requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate that the person is bathing themselves. For example, when conjugating the verb in the first person singular present tense, you use 'me' to say 'me baño' (I take a bath).
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈɲaɾse/
Did you know?
- While bañarse can mean 'to take a bath', in many coastal regions it is more commonly used to mean 'to swim' or 'to bathe in the sea'.
- The verb bañarse is used figuratively in Spanish to describe being 'bathed' in something non-liquid, such as bañarse en gloria, meaning to be in a state of glory.
- The Spanish verb bañar shares a root with the English word 'bath', both tracing back to the Latin balneum, which originally referred to a public bathing house.
Examples in context
- A los niños no les gusta bañarse.Children don't like to take a bath.This sentence is useful for discussing the preferences of children regarding the act of bañarse.Tatoeba #1885640 by Khelm, translation #245976 by CM
- Para mantener una buena higiene personal, es importante darse un baño diario.To maintain good personal hygiene, it is important to take a daily bath.
- ¡Hace tanto calor que quiero bañarme en la piscina todo el día!It's so hot that I want to bathe in the pool all day!
- Voy a echarme un baño de espuma para relajarme antes de dormir.I am going to take a bubble bath to relax before sleeping.
- ¡Qué calor! Me voy a dar un remojón en el mar para refrescarme.It's so hot! I'm going to take a refreshing dip in the sea to cool off.
Example conversation
María is talking to Mateo in the bathroom.
- MaríaMateo, es hora de bañarse.Mateo, it is time to take a bath.
- MateoNo quiero bañarse ahora.I don't want to take a bath now.
- MaríaTienes que bañarse para dormir.You have to take a bath to sleep.
- MateoEstá bien, voy a bañarse.Alright, I am going to take a bath.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bañarse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
