frotar

fro-TARfɾoˈtaɾ

“frotar” means “to rub” in Spanish (applying friction to a surface).

to rub

Also: to scrub, to stroke

VerbA2regular ar

Mexico & Caribbean

A close-up illustration of a hand using a soft yellow cloth to rub a wooden table surface until it shines.

gerundfrotando

past Participlefrotado

infinitivefrotar

📝 In Action

Tienes que frotar la mancha con un poco de jabón.

You have to rub the stain with a little bit of soap.

Él se frotó los ojos porque tenía sueño.

He rubbed his eyes because he was sleepy.

Frota las manos para calentarte un poco.

Rub your hands together to warm yourself up a bit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

refregar (to scrub vigorously)
masajear (to massage)
sobar (to handle/rub)

Antonyms

acariciar (to caress (gentle touch vs pressure))

Common Collocations

frotar con fuerza – to rub hard
frotar suavemente – to rub gently
frotar los platos – to scrub the dishes

Idioms & Expressions

frotarse las manos – to be delighted or excited about something good coming your way

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yofrotara

túfrotaras

él/ella/ustedfrotara

nosotrosfrotáramos

vosotrosfrotarais

ellos/ellas/ustedesfrotaran

Present Subjunctive

yofrote

túfrotes

él/ella/ustedfrote

nosotrosfrotemos

vosotrosfrotéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesfroten

Indicative

Preterite

yofroté

túfrotaste

él/ella/ustedfrotó

nosotrosfrotamos

vosotrosfrotasteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesfrotaron

Imperfect

yofrotaba

túfrotabas

él/ella/ustedfrotaba

nosotrosfrotábamos

vosotrosfrotabais

ellos/ellas/ustedesfrotaban

Present

yofroto

túfrotas

él/ella/ustedfrota

nosotrosfrotamos

vosotrosfrotáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesfrotan

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "frotar" in Spanish:

to rub→to scrub→to stroke→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: frotar

Question 1 of 3

How would you say 'I rub my eyes' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

frotamiento(rubbing/friction) — Noun

frote(a rub) — Noun

frotador(scrubber/polisher) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

cantar brillar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'frictare', which is a repetitive form of 'fricare' (to rub).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: frotterEnglish: friction

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'frotar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.

When should I use 'rascar' instead of 'frotar'?

Use 'rascar' when you have an itch. Use 'frotar' when you are applying pressure, cleaning, or warming something up.

Can 'frotar' mean 'to massage'?

It can imply a simple massage or rubbing a sore muscle, but the specific word for a professional massage is 'masajear'.