regar las plantas
/reɡaɾ las plantas/from spelling rules
To water plants in Spanish is regar las plantas.
Regar las plantas is a common and neutral way to express the action of giving water to plants to help them grow. If you are referring specifically to the act of watering potted plants, you can use the phrase regar las macetas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase regar las plantas is in the infinitive form, which is used to express the concept of the action or when it follows other verbs. To describe the continuous action of watering the plants, such as saying you are currently doing it, use the gerund regando las plantas. If you wish to use the noun for the act of watering or an irrigation system, use riego.
How do you pronounce it?
/reɡaɾ las plantas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
While you might be tempted to say dar agua a las plantas to mean 'to give water to the plants', it is much more natural and common to use the specific verb regar.
Did you know?
- While regar is the standard verb for watering plants, in some dialects it is used colloquially to mean 'to scatter' or 'to spread' things, such as when someone is spreading rumors.
- The Spanish verb regar is a direct descendant of the Latin word rigāre, which meant to water or moisten.
- Using the word irrigar instead of regar changes the tone from a domestic activity to a technical or industrial one, even if the physical action is the same.
Examples in context
- No es bueno regar las plantas a pleno sol.It's not good to water plants in direct sunlight.Tatoeba #5722637 by arh, translation #10257049 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Es importante regar las plantas regularmente para que se mantengan saludables.It is important to water the plants regularly to keep them healthy.
- Debes asegurarte de realizar el riego de las plantas en la cantidad adecuada.You should make sure to perform the watering of the plants in the proper amount.
- No te olvides de echar agua a las plantas antes de que se sequen demasiado.Don't forget to water the plants before they dry out too much.
- Debo regar las plantas cada mañana.I must water the plants every morning.
- ¿Puedes regar las plantas mientras estoy fuera?Can you water the plants while I am away?
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking in their garden.
- ElenaMateo, ¿puedes regar las plantas hoy?Mateo, can you water the plants today?
- MateoSí, Elena, lo haré ahora mismo.Yes, Elena, I will do it right now.
- ElenaGracias, hace mucho calor.Thank you, it is very hot.
- MateoDe nada, las plantas lo necesitan.You're welcome, the plants need it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries las, regar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
