Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to wash" in Spanish: lavar
lavar
To wash in Spanish is lavar. Say yo lavo and tú lavas. Lavar los platos is the classic chore phrase.
After dinner
Yo lavo los platos esta noche.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce lavar
Say it
lah-VAHR / LAH-voh
/la.ˈβaɾ/
lah-VAHR. Yo lavo is LAH-voh. Stress falls on VAHR in lavar.
"to wash" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| lavar | to wash Dictionary infinitive. | Dictionary infinitive. |
| yo lavo | I wash Present first person. | Present first person. |
| lavar los platos | to wash the dishes After meals. | After meals. |
| lavar la ropa | to wash clothes Laundry. | Laundry. |
| ustedes lavan | you all wash Latin American plural you. | Latin American plural you. |
How to use lavar in real life
- 1After dinner
Yo lavo los platos esta noche.
I wash the dishes tonight.
Lavo is first person.
- 2Laundry day
¿Puedes lavar la ropa blanca?
Can you wash the white clothes?
Lavar after poder.
- 3Hands before eating
Lávate las manos antes de comer.
Wash your hands before eating.
Lavarse uses lavar plus se.
Mistakes English speakers make with lavar
Incorrect: Yo lavar los platos.
Correct: Yo lavo los platos.
Conjugate: yo lavo from lavar.
Incorrect: Lavo me las manos.
Correct: Me lavo las manos.
Pronoun before: me lavo, built from lavar.
Good to know
Lavar los platos is a common offer after dinner. Lavar la ropa means laundry. Lávate is a friendly parent or host reminder from lavar.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a meal
ChatPal
¿Tú lavas o yo seco?
Do you wash or do I dry?
You
Yo lavo. Tú secas, ¿vale?
I'll wash. You dry, okay?
ChatPal
Vale. Después lavamos la mesa también.
Okay. After that we also wipe/wash the table.
You
Listo. Empiezo.
Ready. I'll start.
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 Spanish
How do I say I wash?
Yo lavo.
Wash the dishes?
Lavar los platos.
Wash your hands?
Lávate las manos.
How do you pronounce lavar?
lah-VAHR, stress on VAHR.
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
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