toallitas
/toaʝitas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, wipes are called toallitas.
toallitas refers to small, moist pieces of cloth or paper used for cleaning the skin or surfaces. If you want to specify wet wipes, you say toallitas húmedas. To specify makeup remover wipes, you say toallitas desmaquillantes.
What does it mean word for word?
The word toallitas is a diminutive of toalla (towel), literally meaning little towels.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular form is toallita, the plural form toallitas is much more common when referring to a pack of wipes.
How do you pronounce it?
/toaʝitas/
Did you know?
- The root word toalla is believed to have entered Spanish through the Arabic word tūwalya, reflecting the historical Moorish influence on the Iberian Peninsula.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you ask for toallitas without specifying, a shopkeeper might assume you mean baby wipes rather than cleaning wipes.
- Spanish uses the diminutive suffix -ita in toallitas not just for size, but to distinguish a disposable wipe from a reusable fabric toalla.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿dónde puedo encontrar toallitas para bebé?Hello, where can I find baby wipes?
- Necesito pañitos desinfectantes para limpiar las superficies.I need disinfecting wipes to clean the surfaces.
- Jane, ¿me puedes pasar las toallitas húmedas, por favor?Jane, can you pass me the wet wipes, please?
- Compré estos pañitos para limpiar el polvo.I bought these wipes to clean the dust.
- Necesito las toallitas para limpiar la mesa.I need the wipes to clean the table.
- ¿Tienes toallitas de bebé en tu bolso?Do you have baby wipes in your bag?
- Las toallitas son muy útiles para el viaje.Wipes are very useful for the trip.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are preparing for a picnic.
- Elena¿Trajiste las toallitas para limpiarnos las manos?Did you bring the wipes to clean our hands?
- JavierSí, las tengo en la mochila.Yes, I have them in the backpack.
- ElenaPerfecto, las usaremos después de comer.Perfect, we will use them after eating.
- JavierMuy bien, Elena.Very well, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
