Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ducha | /ˈdut͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| regadera | /reɡaˈdeɾa/ | feminine |
The word refers to a device for bathing. Related verbs include ducharse and bañarse for the act of bathing, and colmar for the sense of bestowing something liberally.
Which one should you use?
While both terms can refer to a shower, ducha is the standard term for the shower fixture or the act of showering. In contrast, regadera often refers specifically to the showerhead itself. When choosing a verb, use ducharse specifically for using a shower, whereas bañarse can mean either taking a bath in a tub or the general act of washing oneself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and certain Central American countries, regadera is commonly used to refer to a shower. In many Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, regadera is also used to refer to the shower or the showerhead. In Argentina, ducha is commonly used to refer to a shower.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb to mean 'to take a shower,' you must use the reflexive form ducharse (for example, Me ducho for 'I shower'). In Spain, the term ducharse means to shower.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of ducha is /ˈdutʃa/.
Did you know?
- While ducha refers to the shower, the word ducha can also be used to describe a sudden, unexpected shock or a 'cold shower' of reality in a metaphorical sense.
- Because regadera comes from the same root as 'to water', it can also refer to a watering can used for plants. This creates a linguistic bridge between household plumbing and horticulture.
- The suffix -dera in regadera is often used in Spanish to create nouns that indicate the instrument or tool used to perform an action.
Examples in context
- Está en la ducha.He's in the shower.This sentence shows how to say someone is in the shower using ducha.Tatoeba #1690723 by marcelostockle, translation #1690461 by Spamster
- ¿Te vas a duchar?Are you going to shower?This sentence asks if someone is going to shower using ducha.Tatoeba #10082284 by Shishir, translation #10273940 by LimeGreenTeknii
- La ducha está rota.The shower is broken.This sentence describes a broken shower using ducha.Tatoeba #978001 by hayastan, translation #438772 by Clavain
- Voy a tomar una duchaI'm going to take a shower.
- Voy a ducharme en el bañoI'm going to shower in the bathroom.
- Voy a darme un bañoI'm going to have a shower.
- Voy a tomar una ducha antes de salir.I'm going to take a shower before going out.
- ¿Sabes si hay una regadera en este hotel?Do you know if there is a shower in this hotel?
- 129 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a new apartment.
- Daniel¿Viste la ducha del baño?Did you see the bathroom shower?
- ElenaSí, la ducha es moderna.Yes, the shower is modern.
- DanielMe encanta esa ducha.I love that shower.
- ElenaA mí también me gusta.I like it too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shower” translations and entries ducha, regadera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ducha, regadera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
