lavado
/lah-VAH-doh/
washed
Use lavado as an adjective to describe something that has been recently cleaned, like this shirt.
lavado(adjective)
washed
?as in, recently cleaned
,clean
?result of washing
laundried
?specifically clothes
📝 In Action
La camisa que compraste ya está lavado.
A1The shirt you bought is already washed.
Necesito un coche limpio y lavado.
A2I need a clean and washed car.
💡 Grammar Points
Past Participle as Adjective
"Lavado" is the past participle of the verb "lavar" (to wash). When it acts as an adjective, it must match the noun it describes in number and gender (lavado, lavada, lavados, lavadas).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: "Las toallas está lavado."
Correction: Las toallas están lavadas. (Towels are feminine and plural, so 'lavado' must be too.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Estar'
Use 'estar' (to be, temporary state) with 'lavado' to describe the current clean state of something: 'El plato está lavado.' (The plate is currently clean.)
Lavado as a noun refers to the act or process of washing, often involving soap and water.
lavado(noun)
wash
?the act or process
,washing
?the activity
laundering
?general cleaning activity
📝 In Action
El lavado de manos es vital para la salud.
B1Hand washing is vital for health.
El coche necesita un buen lavado.
A2The car needs a good wash.
💡 Grammar Points
The Noun Form
When 'lavado' is a noun, it always refers to the action or process of washing, not the object being washed. It is always masculine: 'el lavado'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Action vs. Result
If you are talking about the process ('el lavado'), use the noun. If you are talking about the result ('It is clean'), use the adjective ('está lavado').
When referring to illegal financial activity, lavado translates to 'laundering' or 'money laundering'.
📝 In Action
El sospechoso fue detenido por lavado de dinero.
C1The suspect was arrested for money laundering.
La ley contra el lavado de activos es estricta.
C2The law against asset laundering is strict.
💡 Grammar Points
Specialized Context
This meaning is a specialized extension of the idea of 'cleansing' or 'purifying' illegal money to make it look legitimate.
⭐ Usage Tips
Always Use with 'de dinero'
In this specialized context, 'lavado' is almost always followed by 'de dinero' or 'de activos' to clarify the illegal financial meaning.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: lavado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'lavado' as a noun referring to a process?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'lavado' the same as 'limpio'?
Not exactly. 'Limpio' means 'clean' (the general state). 'Lavado' specifically means 'washed' (the result of the action of washing). Something can be 'limpio' without having been 'lavado' by a person (e.g., if it's naturally clean), but if it has been washed, it is both 'lavado' and 'limpio'.
How do I make 'lavado' feminine or plural?
When 'lavado' is used as an adjective, you change the ending just like other descriptive words: 'lavada' (feminine singular), 'lavados' (masculine plural), and 'lavadas' (feminine plural).