lavar los platos
/labaɾ los platos/from spelling rules
To wash the dishes in Spanish is lavar los platos.
The phrase lavar los platos is the standard way to express the general task of washing all the dishes used during a meal, even though it specifically mentions plates.
Which one should you use?
While lavar los platos is the standard phrase, you may encounter lavar la vajilla if the speaker is referring specifically to a set of tableware. Additionally, when giving a command, the form changes based on who you are speaking to, such as the informal Lava los platos or the formal Lave los platos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is very common to use the word trastes instead of platos to refer to dishes or kitchenware, resulting in the phrase lavar los trastes. In some other regions, people may say fregar los platos instead of lavar los platos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the infinitive form lavar, which is used after other verbs such as necesito (I need) or quiero (I want).
How do you pronounce it?
/labaɾ los platos/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word lavar shares the same ancient root as the English word 'lavatory'. Both words trace back to the Latin 'lavare', which means 'to wash'.
- The word trastes in the Mexican phrase lavar los trastes can also mean 'gadgets' or 'tools' in certain slang contexts. It highlights how a kitchen term can expand into general terminology.
- The Spanish verb lavar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'lave', a poetic term meaning to wash or bathe.
Examples in context
- Necesito lavar los platos.I have to wash the dishes.This sentence is useful for expressing a necessity involving lavar los platos.Tatoeba #13714381 by ecorralest101, translation #1744721 by Amastan
- No quiero lavar los platos.I don't want to wash the dishes.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire involving lavar los platos.Tatoeba #13714471 by ecorralest101, translation #8868443 by shekitten
- Su trabajo es lavar los platos.Her work is to wash the dishes.This sentence is useful for describing a job or task involving lavar los platos.Tatoeba #672067 by Shishir, translation #309315 by CK
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are in the kitchen after dinner.
- Javier¿Puedes lavar los platos, Lucía?Can you wash the dishes, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, hoy te toca a ti.No, today it is your turn.
- JavierEstá bien, yo los lavaré.Fine, I will wash them.
- LucíaGracias, Javier, eres muy amable.Thanks, Javier, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lavar, los, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
