secar la ropa
/sekaɾ la ɾopa/from spelling rules
To dry the clothes in Spanish is secar la ropa.
This phrase is used to describe the action of removing moisture from clothing after washing. The verb secar is transitive, which means it requires a direct object like la ropa to complete its meaning.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, you might hear the word prendas used to refer to clothes. Additionally, in certain areas, speakers may use the verbs colgar (to hang) or airear (to air) instead of secar to express the idea of drying clothes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the singular noun la ropa to refer to clothes in a collective sense, similar to the English word 'clothing'. If you wish to refer to specific individual items of clothing rather than the collection, you can use the plural form secar las prendas.
How do you pronounce it?
/sekaɾ la ɾopa/
Did you know?
- The word ropa originally entered Spanish from Gothic, a Germanic language, rather than from Latin like most common Spanish words.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, drying clothes in the sun is believed to bleach white fabrics and kill bacteria more effectively than a machine.
- While ropa means clothes, the related word ropon can refer to a large, heavy cloak or garment, reflecting the word's history of describing bulk materials.
Examples in context
- Nunca vas a secar la ropa si la dejas bajo la sombra.You are never going to dry the clothes if you leave them in the shade.This sentence illustrates the relationship between drying clothes and sunlight.Tatoeba #1165387 by marcelostockle, translation #1165498 by marcelostockle
- Por favor, asegúrese de secar la ropa completamente antes de guardarla.Please make sure to fully dry the clothes before storing them.
- Voy a tender la ropa en el patio porque hace buen tiempo.I'm going to hang the clothes in the backyard because the weather is nice.
- Voy a secar la ropa en la terraza.I am going to dry the clothes on the terrace.
- ¿Puedes secar la ropa al sol?Can you dry the clothes in the sun?
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are in the laundry room.
- Javier¿Dónde puedo secar la ropa?Where can I dry the clothes?
- SofíaPuedes secar la ropa en el patio.You can dry the clothes in the patio.
- JavierEstá bien, gracias, Sofía.That's fine, thanks, Sofía.
- SofíaDe nada, Javier.You're welcome, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, ropa, secar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
