lavar
/laˈbaɾ/
To wash in Spanish is lavar.
The verb lavar is used when you are washing objects, such as a car or clothes. If you want to express the formal action of washing, you may use asear.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between washing an object and washing oneself. Use lavar for objects like a car or clothes, but use the reflexive form lavarse when the subject is washing themselves, such as when washing one's hands or face.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form, meaning he, she or it washed, is lavó.
How do you pronounce it?
/laˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- The English word 'lavatory' shares the same Latin ancestor as lavar, deriving from the same root meaning 'to wash'.
- The word lavanda, meaning 'lavender', is a linguistic cousin to lavar because the plant was historically used in washing and cleaning.
- If a Spanish speaker says they are lavando el cerebro to someone, they are not washing a physical brain but are 'brainwashing' them.
Examples in context
- Voy a lavar mi coche.I'm going to wash my car.This sentence is useful for using lavar with objects like a car.Tatoeba #1306756 by marcelostockle, translation #1306759 by CK
- Me voy a lavar la cara.I’m going to wash my face.This sentence is useful for using lavar when washing parts of the body.Tatoeba #10016347 by Shishir, translation #10016671 by espamatics
- Tenemos que lavar la ropa.We have to wash the clothes.This sentence is useful for using lavar with objects like clothes.Tatoeba #2270012 by Shishir, translation #2270011 by _undertoad
- Lávate el rostro todas las mañanas.Wash your face every morning.
- Me lavo los dientes después de cada comida.I brush my teeth after every meal.
- ¿Puedes fregar los platos, por favor?Can you wash the dishes, please?
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are in the kitchen after dinner.
- ElenaYo puedo lavar los platos hoy.I can wash the dishes today.
- DanielGracias, Elena. Yo voy a limpiar la mesa.Thanks, Elena. I am going to clean the table.
- Elena¿Dónde está el jabón para lavar?Where is the soap for washing?
- DanielEstá justo ahí, Daniel.It is right there, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lavar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lavar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
