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How to Say "clean" in Spanish

English → Spanish

limpio

LIM-pyoh/ˈlimpjo/

adjectiveA1general
Use this when something is physically spotless, free from dirt or stains.
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-bah//ˈla.βa/

verbA1general
Use this verb when referring to the action of washing something, especially with water.
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-doh/laˈβa.ðo/

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

Examples

La camisa que compraste ya está lavada.

The shirt you bought is already washed.

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-roh/ˈpuɾo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this for a figurative sense of 'clean,' like pure air, or something unadulterated.
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-kah/ˈblaŋka/

adjectiveB1formal
Use this when referring to a reputation or conscience that is pure, honest, and without fault.
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.

Physical vs. Figurative Cleanliness

The most common mistake is using 'limpio' for figurative senses of clean, like 'clean air' or 'clean conscience.' Remember that 'limpio' is for physical dirt, while 'puro' and 'blanca' cover figurative purity.

Related Translations

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