aspirar
/aspiˈɾaɾ/
The English phrase 'vacuuming' can be translated into Spanish as aspirar.
aspirar refers to the act of cleaning a floor using a vacuum cleaner. However, it is very common to use the phrase pasar la aspiradora to mean 'to vacuum' or 'to run the vacuum cleaner' (literally 'to pass the vacuum cleaner').
Which one should you use?
The verb aspirar is polysemous, meaning it has multiple meanings depending on the context. It can mean to vacuum, to inhale (such as breathing) or to aspire to a goal.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of vacuuming, use the gerund form aspirando.
How do you pronounce it?
/aspiˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- Because aspirar means both 'to inhale' and 'to vacuum', a sentence like aspiré el polvo could mean either 'I vacuumed the dust' or 'I breathed in the dust'.
- If you tell a Spanish speaker you are aspirando a un puesto, they will think you are campaigning for a job rather than cleaning the rug.
- In a medical or emergency context, the verb aspirar is used to describe the critical process of suctioning fluids from a patient's airway.
Examples in context
- Es necesario pasar la aspiradora en toda la casa una vez a la semana.It's necessary to vacuum the entire house once a week.
- Por favor, limpie con la aspiradora la sala de reuniones antes de que lleguen los invitados.Please vacuum the meeting room before the guests arrive.
- Tengo que aspirar la alfombra.I have to vacuum the rug.
- ¿Puedes aspirar la sala, por favor?Can you vacuum the living room, please?
- Terminé de aspirar toda la casa.I finished vacuuming the whole house.
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their weekend cleaning chores.
- MaríaMateo, ¿vas a aspirar la habitación?Mateo, are you going to vacuum the bedroom?
- MateoSí, voy a aspirar después de comer.Yes, I am going to vacuum after eating.
- MaríaPerfecto, yo limpiaré las ventanas.Perfect, I will clean the windows.
- MateoEstá bien, así terminamos pronto.Okay, that way we finish soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aspirar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
