Inklingo
← Dictionary

bañar

ba-NYAR/baˈɲaɾ/

to bathe

Also: to wash
VerbA1regular ar
General
A parent gently washing a young child in a small bathtub with soap bubbles.
gerundbañando
past Participlebañado
infinitivebañar

📝 In Action

Tengo que bañar al perro porque está muy sucio.

A1

I have to bathe the dog because he is very dirty.

La madre baña a su bebé todas las noches.

A1

The mother bathes her baby every night.

¿Puedes ayudarme a bañar a los niños?

A2

Can you help me bathe the kids?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • asear (to clean/tidy up)
  • lavar (to wash)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • bañar al perro – to bathe the dog
  • bañar a un niño – to bathe a child

Idioms & Expressions

  • bañarse en agua de rosas – to be delighted or indifferent to criticism

to coat

Also: to dip, to plate
VerbB2regular ar
A hand pouring thick chocolate sauce over a fresh strawberry.
gerundbañando
past Participlebañado
infinitivebañar

📝 In Action

Vamos a bañar las fresas en chocolate.

B1

We are going to coat the strawberries in chocolate.

El chef baña el bizcocho con un almíbar dulce.

B2

The chef soaks the sponge cake with a sweet syrup.

Este reloj está bañado en oro de 24 quilates.

B2

This watch is plated in 24-karat gold.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • bañado en chocolate – coated in chocolate
  • bañado en oro – gold-plated
  • bañar en salsa – to cover in sauce

to bathe

Also: to wash over
VerbC1regular arformal
Warm golden sunlight streaming through a window and illuminating a cozy room.
gerundbañando
past Participlebañado
infinitivebañar

📝 In Action

La luz de la luna bañaba el valle.

C1

The moonlight bathed the valley.

El mar baña las costas de España.

B2

The sea washes the coasts of Spain.

Estaba bañado en lágrimas después de la noticia.

C1

He was bathed in tears after the news.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • bañado en luz – bathed in light
  • bañado en sudor – dripping with sweat

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesbañaran
yobañara
túbañaras
vosotrosbañarais
nosotrosbañáramos
él/ella/ustedbañara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesbañen
yobañe
túbañes
vosotrosbañéis
nosotrosbañemos
él/ella/ustedbañe

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesbañaron
yobañé
túbañaste
vosotrosbañasteis
nosotrosbañamos
él/ella/ustedbañó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesbañaban
yobañaba
túbañabas
vosotrosbañabais
nosotrosbañábamos
él/ella/ustedbañaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesbañan
yobaño
túbañas
vosotrosbañáis
nosotrosbañamos
él/ella/ustedbaña
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "bañar" in Spanish:

to bathe→to plate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: bañar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I bathe the baby' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
baño(bath/bathroom) — Noun
bañera(bathtub) — Noun
bañador(swimsuit) — Noun
bañista(bather/swimmer) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
soñaracompañarextrañar
📚 Etymology▼

From the Late Latin 'balneare', which comes from the classical Latin 'balneum' meaning bath. This eventually evolved through Vulgar Latin into the modern Spanish 'bañar'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: banharItalian: bagnareFrench: baigner

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'bañar' only for water?

No! While it usually refers to water, you can 'bañar' things in chocolate, gold, or even describe a room being 'bañado' in sunlight.

What is the difference between 'bañar' and 'lavar'?

'Lavar' is a general term for washing (like dishes, clothes, or hands). 'Bañar' specifically refers to a full bath or a total coating/immersion.

Can I use 'bañar' for swimming in the sea?

Yes, in Spain it is very common to say 'bañarse en el mar' to mean going for a swim, even if you aren't using soap!