Inklingo

How to Say "tidying up" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “tidying up” is “recogiendo” — use 'recogiendo' when the focus is on gathering scattered items and putting them back in their proper places, like clearing a table after a meal or picking up toys..

English → Spanish

recogiendo

/re-ko-HYEN-do//rekoˈxjendo/

verbB1general
Use 'recogiendo' when the focus is on gathering scattered items and putting them back in their proper places, like clearing a table after a meal or picking up toys.
A hand placing a toy wooden block into a wooden storage box.

Examples

Después de la fiesta, todos ayudaron recogiendo las botellas y los vasos.

After the party, everyone helped by picking up the bottles and glasses.

Termina de comer y ayuda recogiendo la mesa.

Finish eating and help by clearing the table.

Estamos recogiendo la casa porque viene visita.

We are tidying up the house because guests are coming.

arreglando

/ah-ray-GLAHN-doh//areˈɣlando/

verbA2general
Use 'arreglando' when 'tidying up' implies organizing or fixing something that is out of order or not working correctly, such as tidying up your computer files or arranging furniture.
A person using a wrench to fix a leaky pipe under a sink.

Examples

Estoy arreglando mi habitación porque está muy desordenada.

I am tidying up my room because it is very messy.

Estoy arreglando mi computadora porque no funciona.

I am fixing my computer because it's not working.

Estamos arreglando la sala para la fiesta.

We are tidying up the living room for the party.

Él está arreglando el problema con su jefe.

He is sorting out the problem with his boss.

The '-ing' Form

In Spanish, words ending in '-ando' are like the English '-ing.' Use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action is happening right now.

Don't use it as a noun

Mistake: “Arreglando es difícil.”

Correction: Arreglar es difícil. (In Spanish, use the base form of the verb, not the -ando form, when the verb is the subject of the sentence).

arreglo

/ah-rreh-glo//aˈrreɣlo/

nounA2general
Use the noun 'arreglo' when referring to the act or result of tidying up or repairing something, often in a more formal or technical context like a repair job.
A wooden chair with a visible patch or glue fixing a broken leg, illustrating the concept of repair.

Examples

El mecánico hizo un buen arreglo del motor.

The mechanic did a good repair of the engine.

Necesito llevar mi coche al taller para el arreglo de los frenos.

I need to take my car to the shop for the repair of the brakes.

¿Puedes hacer un arreglo rápido a esta falda?

Can you make a quick fix (or mend) to this skirt?

Después del arreglo, la casa se veía mucho mejor.

After tidying up, the house looked much better.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'arreglo' is always masculine, using 'el' or 'un'.

Using 'arreglar' instead of 'arreglo'

Mistake: “Hice la arreglar de la bici.”

Correction: Hice el arreglo de la bici. ('Arreglar' is the verb 'to fix'; 'arreglo' is the noun 'the fix/repair'.)

Verb vs. Noun for 'Tidying Up'

The most common mistake is using the noun 'arreglo' when you mean the action of tidying up. Remember, 'arreglando' and 'recogiendo' are verbs describing the action, while 'arreglo' is a noun referring to the repair or the state of being tidied.

Related Translations

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