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How to Say "cleaning" in Spanish

English → Spanish

limpiando

lim-pee-AN-doh/limˈpjan.do/

Verb Form (Gerund)A1General
Use 'limpiando' when describing the ongoing action of removing dirt or mess from something at a specific moment.
A small, cheerful figure is actively scrubbing a visibly dirty surface, such as a kitchen counter, with a sponge. One side of the counter is covered in grime, while the side the figure has cleaned is sparkling and spotless.

Examples

Mi hermano está limpiando la cocina en este momento.

My brother is cleaning the kitchen right now.

Pasé toda la tarde limpiando el garaje, ¡estaba terrible!

I spent the whole afternoon cleaning the garage, it was terrible!

El equipo está limpiando los datos antes de analizarlos.

The team is cleaning the data before analyzing it.

The '-ing' Form

This word, ending in '-ando', is the Spanish way of saying the '-ing' action in English (like 'cleaning'). It describes an action that is ongoing.

Using it Right Now

To talk about what is happening right this second, you must use a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) followed by 'limpiando': 'Estoy limpiando' (I am cleaning).

It Never Changes

'Limpiando' is an invariable form, meaning it always stays the same regardless of who is doing the cleaning or how many people there are.

Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy limpiando.”

Correction: Estoy limpiando. You must use 'estar' when talking about ongoing actions, never 'ser'.

Using the Infinitive

Mistake: “Ella está limpiar la casa.”

Correction: Ella está limpiando la casa. Remember to use the '-ando' form after 'estar' to show the action is in progress.

limpieza

/leem-PYEH-sah//limˈpje.sa/

NounA1General
Use 'limpieza' when referring to the general act or concept of making something clean, often as a task or a process.
A cartoon character enthusiastically wiping a large window with a blue rag until the glass sparkles and shines brightly.

Examples

Necesitamos hacer la limpieza profunda de la cocina este fin de semana.

We need to do a deep cleaning of the kitchen this weekend.

La limpieza es esencial para la salud.

Cleanliness is essential for health.

Contratamos un servicio de limpieza de oficinas.

We hired an office cleaning service.

Gender Check

Remember that 'limpieza' is always feminine, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la limpieza', 'una limpieza rápida').

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Hicimos la limpiar.”

Correction: Hicimos la limpieza. (You use the noun 'limpieza' after 'hacer'.)

Gerund vs. Noun

The most common mistake is using the noun 'limpieza' when you mean the action is happening right now. Remember, 'limpiando' is the verb form showing the action in progress, while 'limpieza' is the noun for the act of cleaning itself.

Related Translations

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