Inklingo

How to Say "clean" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “clean” is “limpiar” — use this verb when you need to actively remove dirt, mess, or impurities from a place or object.

limpiar🔊A1

Use this verb when you need to actively remove dirt, mess, or impurities from a place or object.

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limpio🔊A1

Use this adjective to describe something that is physically spotless, free from dirt or stains, as a state or condition.

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lava🔊A1

Use this verb specifically for the act of washing something, especially clothes or dishes, using water and soap.

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lavado🔊A1

Use this adjective to describe something that has undergone the process of being washed or laundered.

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puro🔊A2

Use this adjective for a figurative meaning of 'clean,' referring to air, water, or a substance that is unadulterated and natural.

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blanca🔊B1

Use this adjective in a figurative sense to describe an impeccable reputation, conscience, or character.

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English → Spanish

limpiar

leem-pyahrlimˈpjaɾ

verbA1general
Use this verb when you need to actively remove dirt, mess, or impurities from a place or object.
A smiling person wiping a dirty wooden table with a damp cloth, revealing a clean surface underneath.

Examples

Necesito limpiar la cocina antes de que lleguen los invitados.

I need to clean the kitchen before the guests arrive.

Mi abuela siempre limpia las ventanas con vinagre.

My grandmother always cleans the windows with vinegar.

¿Puedes ayudarme a limpiar la mesa después de comer?

Can you help me clear/clean the table after eating?

Regularity is Key

Limpiar is a perfectly regular verb, which is great news! It follows the standard -AR verb endings in every single tense, making it very easy to learn.

limpio

LIM-pyohˈlimpjo

adjectiveA1general
Use this adjective to describe something that is physically spotless, free from dirt or stains, as a state or condition.
A perfectly folded, pristine white towel resting on a wooden shelf, symbolizing physical cleanliness.

Examples

Mi habitación está limpia por fin.

My room is clean finally.

¿Está limpio el plato?

Is the plate clean?

Necesito una toalla limpia.

I need a clean towel.

Gender and Number

As an adjective, 'limpio' must match the person or thing it describes. Use 'limpia' for feminine nouns (la casa limpia) and 'limpios/limpias' for plurals (los pisos limpios).

lava

lah-bahˈla.βa

verbA1general
Use this verb specifically for the act of washing something, especially clothes or dishes, using water and soap.
A pair of hands scrubbing a white ceramic plate under a stream of clear water from a faucet with soap bubbles.

Examples

Él lava los platos todas las noches.

He washes the dishes every night.

¡Lava tus manos antes de comer!

Wash your hands before eating!

Two Meanings for 'Lava'

The word 'lava' can mean 'he/she washes' or it can be a command like 'Wash the car!'.

Reflexive Use

Mistake: “Saying 'Yo lavo' when you mean 'I wash myself'.”

Correction: If you are washing yourself, you need to add 'me': 'Me lavo'. Use 'lava' alone for objects, like 'Ella lava el perro'.

lavado

lah-VAH-dohlaˈβa.ðo

adjectiveA1general
Use this adjective to describe something that has undergone the process of being washed or laundered.
A perfectly clean white shirt hanging on a clothesline, illustrating something recently washed.

Examples

La camisa que compraste ya está lavado.

The shirt you bought is already washed.

Necesito un coche limpio y lavado.

I need a clean and washed car.

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).

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: “Las toallas está lavado.”

Correction: Las toallas están lavadas. (Towels are feminine and plural, so 'lavado' must be too.)

puro

POO-rohˈpuɾo

adjectiveA2general
Use this adjective for a figurative meaning of 'clean,' referring to air, water, or a substance that is unadulterated and natural.
A single, flawless, bright red apple centered on a plain background, illustrating absolute completeness.

Examples

El aire de la montaña es muy puro.

The air in the mountains is very pure.

Ella solo bebe agua pura, sin minerales añadidos.

She only drinks pure water, without added minerals.

Gender Matching

As an adjective, 'puro' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'puro' (m.s.), 'pura' (f.s.), 'puros' (m.pl.), 'puras' (f.pl.).

Forgetting the Feminine Form

Mistake: “Using 'puro' for a feminine noun, e.g., 'agua puro'.”

Correction: Use the feminine form: 'agua pura'. Remember that 'agua' is feminine even though it starts with 'a'.

blanca

BLAHN-kahˈblaŋka

adjectiveB1formal
Use this adjective in a figurative sense to describe an impeccable reputation, conscience, or character.
A pristine white lily flower with dew drops on its petals, symbolizing purity and innocence.

Examples

Ella siempre ha tenido una reputación blanca e intachable.

She has always had a pure and impeccable reputation.

Mantuvo la fe blanca a pesar de todas las dificultades.

She kept the faith pure despite all the difficulties.

Limpiar vs. Limpio

The most common confusion is between 'limpiar' (the action of cleaning) and 'limpio' (the state of being clean). Remember that 'limpiar' is a verb and describes the act of removing dirt, while 'limpio' is an adjective describing the result or condition of being spotless.

Related Translations

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