fregar
/fɾeˈɡaɾ/
To mop is fregar in Spanish.
The verb fregar is used to describe the action of cleaning a floor with water and a mop. Depending on the object being cleaned, this verb can change meaning. It can mean either 'to mop' or 'to wash dishes'. To specifically indicate that you are washing dishes rather than mopping, you should include the object los platos (for example, fregar los platos).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions of Mexico, people may use the verb trapear to mean 'to mop'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of 'mopping', use the gerund form fregando. For the past tense, the first-person singular preterite form is fregué (I mopped) and the first-person singular future tense form is fregaré (I will mop).
How do you pronounce it?
/fɾeˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, fregar is used as a colloquial way to describe someone who is annoying or pestering another person.
- While fregar means 'to mop', the phrase estoy fregado in some dialects can mean 'I am exhausted' or 'I am in a bad situation'.
- The verb fregar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'fray', which refers to wearing out or unraveling edges. Both words come from the Latin root 'fricare', meaning 'to rub'.
Examples in context
- Tengo que fregar los suelos.I have to mop the floors.This sentence demonstrates how to use fregar to express the need to mop floors.Tatoeba #8612550 by arh, translation #10276630 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Hoy tengo que limpiar el suelo con una fregona.Today I have to mop the floor with a mop.
- Mañana mi hermano pasará la mopa.Tomorrow my brother will mop the floor.
- Limpio el piso todas las semanas, barriendo y fregando.I clean the floor every week by sweeping and mopping.
- ¿Me puedes pasar el trapeador? Necesito trapear el suelo.Can you pass me the mop? I need to mop the floor.
- Hoy toca trapiar el suelo de la cocina.Today, I have to mop the kitchen floor.
- Siempre limpio el piso con la mopa antes de recibir visitas.I always mop the floor with the mop before having guests over.
- Voy a fregar la cocina ahora.I am going to mop the kitchen now.
- ¿Puedes fregar el suelo del baño?Can you mop the bathroom floor?
Example conversation
Mateo and María are cleaning their apartment.
- MateoMaría, ¿puedes fregar el comedor?María, can you mop the dining room?
- MaríaSí, pero primero tengo que aspirar.Yes, but first I have to vacuum.
- MateoEstá bien, yo fregaré la sala.Alright, I will mop the living room.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo, así terminamos pronto.Thanks, Mateo, that way we'll finish soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fregar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fregar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
