lávate las manos
/labate las manos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "wash your hands" is translated into Spanish as lávate las manos.
This phrase is used to instruct someone to clean their hands using soap and water.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb lavarse (to wash oneself) and the direct object las manos (the hands).
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form lávate las manos is an informal imperative command used with someone you know well. To use the formal usted form instead of the informal tú form, change lávate to lávese. When addressing more than one person, the imperative form changes to lávense.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the possessive adjective tus instead of the definite article las when referring to body parts in Spanish.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase lávate las manos can be used figuratively to tell someone to distance themselves from a corrupt or dangerous situation.
- The word manos is an exception to standard Spanish gender rules because it is a feminine noun despite ending in 'o'.
- The Spanish verb lavar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'lavatory', as both originate from the Latin word lavare meaning 'to wash'.
Examples in context
- Lávate las manos a menudo.Wash your hands regularly.This sentence shows how to use lávate las manos to suggest regular hygiene.Tatoeba #7747515 by arh, translation #8610485 by Amastan
- Lávate las manos después de ir al baño.Wash your hands after going to the bathroom.This sentence shows how to use lávate las manos as an instruction following a specific action.Tatoeba #3219452 by cueyayotl, translation #11275620 by Luornu
- Por favor, lávate las manos antes de comer.Please wash your hands before you eat.This sentence shows how to use lávate las manos to request hygiene before a meal.Tatoeba #1831980 by Shishir, translation #1830526 by CK
- Por favor, lávese las manos antes de ingresar al laboratorio.Please wash your hands before entering the laboratory.
- Es imprescindible que se lave las manos con frecuencia durante la pandemia.It is essential that you wash your hands regularly during the pandemic.
- No te olvides de lavarte las manos antes de comer.Don't forget to wash your hands before eating.
- Amigo, lávate las manos con jabón para evitar enfermarte.Friend, wash your hands with soap to avoid getting sick.
- Por favor, lave las manos después de usar el baño.Please wash your hands after using the restroom.
- Recuerde lavarse las manos antes de tocar los alimentos.Remember to wash your hands before touching food.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are preparing to cook dinner together.
- ElenaDaniel, lávate las manos antes de tocar la masa.Daniel, wash your hands before touching the dough.
- DanielTienes razón, voy al baño ahora mismo.You are right, I am going to the bathroom right now.
- ElenaNo olvides usar mucho jabón.Don't forget to use plenty of soap.
- DanielYa está, ya me lavé las manos.Done, I already washed my hands.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
