Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to wash" in Portuguese: lavar
lavar
To wash in Portuguese is lavar. Say eu lavo a louça and ela lava a roupa. Lavagem is the noun; conjugate lavar for the action.
Kitchen duty
Eu lavo a louça se você secar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce lavar
Say it
lah-VAHR
/la.ˈvaʁ/
lah-VAHR
"to wash" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| lavar | to wash Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu lavo | I wash First person. | First person. |
| lavar louça | to wash dishes Kitchen. | Kitchen. |
| lavar roupa | to do laundry Clothes. | Clothes. |
How to use lavar in real life
- 1Kitchen duty
Eu lavo a louça se você secar.
I’ll wash the dishes if you dry.
Chore swap.
- 2Laundry day
Ela lava a roupa toda segunda.
She washes clothes every Monday.
Habit.
- 3Hands before eating
Lava as mãos antes do almoço.
Wash your hands before lunch.
Imperative-ish everyday.
Mistakes English speakers make with lavar
Incorrect: Eu lavar agora.
Correct: Eu lavo agora.
Conjugate: eu lavo, not the infinitive as main verb.
Incorrect: A lavagem a louça agora.
Correct: Eu lavo a louça agora.
Lavagem is the noun. Use lavar for the action.
Good to know
Lavar is water-and-soap; limpar can be dry wiping. Machines still get lavar roupa na máquina. Beach culture loves lavar o pé before entering the house after sand.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After dinner cleanup
ChatPal
Você lava a louça ou eu lavo?
Will you wash the dishes or will I wash?
You
Eu lavo. Você guarda os restos.
I’ll wash. You put the leftovers away.
ChatPal
Fecho. Depois lavo o fogão também.
Deal. Later I’ll wash the stove too.
You
Nem precisa. Já está ok.
No need. It’s already fine.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to wash" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to wash" in Portuguese
I wash?
Eu lavo.
Wash dishes?
Lavar a louça.
Do laundry?
Lavar roupa.
Lavagem?
Noun for a wash cycle—not the main verb.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
