lavar los platos
/labaɾ los platos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'washing dishes' is translated into Spanish as lavar los platos.
The phrase lavar los platos is used to describe the action of washing dishes. Lavar los trastes is a common informal expression used mainly in Latin America.
Which one should you use?
While lavar los platos is common, some regions may use fregar los platos to mean the same thing, though fregar can also imply scrubbing more vigorously. The term lavar la vajilla is a slightly more formal or precise way to describe the task, as la vajilla refers to the entire set of dishes or tableware.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of 'washing the dishes' (the gerund), you use lavando los platos.
How do you pronounce it?
/labaɾ los platos/
Did you know?
- The word lavar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'lavatory', meaning your kitchen sink and a bathroom share a common ancestral root.
- While fregar means 'to scrub' in the context of dishes, in some Latin American countries it is used as a slang verb meaning 'to annoy' or 'to pester'. Telling someone to deja de fregar could be a request to stop bothering you.
- In Caribbean Spanish, the phrase lavar la loza is common. This treats all modern kitchenware as if it were still loza, which is the specific word for earthenware or clay pottery.
Examples in context
- Tom acaba de terminar de lavar los platos.Tom has just finished washing dishes.This sentence shows how to use lavar los platos to indicate someone has just completed the task.Tatoeba #2149619 by Dejo, translation #1025371 by CK
- ¿Quieres lavar los trastes juntos?Do you want to wash the dishes together?
- Me toca lavar los platos hoy.It is my turn to wash the dishes today.
- ¿Puedes ayudarme a lavar los platos?Can you help me wash the dishes?
Example conversation
A couple is deciding on their chores after dinner.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿te importa lavar los platos?Daniel, do you mind washing the dishes?
- DanielNo hay problema, Lucía.No problem, Lucía.
- LucíaGracias, yo limpiaré la mesa.Thanks, I will clean the table.
- DanielDe nada, es un buen trato.You're welcome, it's a good deal.
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.
