Inklingo
← Dictionary

limpios

/LEEM-pyohs/

clean

A sparkling clean white plate on a wooden table.

A sparkling plate represents being 'limpios' or free from dirt.

limpios(adjective)

mA1

clean

?

free from dirt or marks

Also:

tidy

?

neat and organized

📝 In Action

Mis zapatos nuevos ya no están limpios.

A1

My new shoes are not clean anymore.

Necesito unos pantalones limpios para la fiesta.

A1

I need some clean pants for the party.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aseados (neat/tidy)
  • pulcros (spotless)

Antonyms

  • sucios (dirty)
  • manchados (stained)

Common Collocations

  • trapos limpios – clean rags
  • están limpios – they are clean

💡 Grammar Points

Matching Plural Words

Since this word ends in '-os,' it must be used with masculine plural words like 'zapatos' (shoes) or 'platos' (plates).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: "Las mesas están limpios."

Correction: Las mesas están limpias. Because 'mesas' is a feminine group, you must use 'limpias' instead of 'limpios'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Stay Specific

Use 'limpios' when you are talking about more than one masculine person or thing.

Two children shaking hands over a board game.

Playing fairly and following the rules is being 'limpios'.

limpios(adjective)

mB1

fair

?

following the rules or being honest

Also:

honest

?

without hidden motives

📝 In Action

Queremos unos negocios limpios y transparentes.

B1

We want fair and transparent business deals.

Fueron unos combates limpios.

B2

They were fair fights.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • sucios (dirty/unfair)
  • corruptos (corrupt)

Common Collocations

  • juegos limpios – fair play/clean games
  • expedientes limpios – clean records

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Meaning

When describing a person's history or a game, it means they haven't done anything wrong or illegal.

An empty brown leather wallet with its pockets pulled out.

An empty wallet illustrates being 'limpios' in the sense of having no money.

limpios(adjective)

mB2

broke

?

having no money

📝 In Action

Después de pagar el alquiler, nos quedamos limpios.

B2

After paying rent, we were left broke.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pelados (broke (slang))
  • pobres (poor)

Idioms & Expressions

  • quedarse limpios – to run out of money completely

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

Only use this meaning in informal settings. If you say it in a bank, they might think you mean you just washed your hands!

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: limpios

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'limpios' to mean 'having no money'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'limpios' for a group of women?

No, for a group of women or feminine objects, you must use 'limpias'.

Is 'limpios' a verb?

No, 'limpios' is an adjective. The verb for 'to clean' is 'limpiar'.