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How to Say "tidy up" in Spanish

English → Spanish

limpiar

leem-pyahr/limˈpjaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'limpiar' when the primary focus is on making a space physically clean, removing dirt or clutter, often with a broader sense of general upkeep.
A smiling person wiping a dirty wooden table with a damp cloth, revealing a clean surface underneath.

Examples

Necesito limpiar mi habitación antes de que vengan mis amigos.

I need to tidy up (clean) my room before my friends come.

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.

arreglar

ah-rreh-GLAHR/arreˈɣlaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'arreglar' specifically when the goal is to put things in order, organize, or fix something that is out of place, making a space neat and organized.
A person's hands placing colorful books neatly onto an empty shelf in a bright room.

Examples

Por favor, arregla tus juguetes después de jugar.

Please tidy up your toys after playing.

Antes de irte, por favor, arregla tu escritorio.

Before you leave, please tidy up your desk.

Ella arregla las flores en jarrones muy bonitos.

She arranges the flowers in very pretty vases.

Limpiar vs. Arreglar

Learners often confuse 'limpiar' and 'arreglar' because both can involve making a space neater. Remember that 'limpiar' emphasizes making something clean, while 'arreglar' focuses on organizing and putting things in their proper place.

Related Translations

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