Spanish Conversation · Level 76
60 words
Spanish word
ensuciar
Pronunciation
IPA/ensuˈθjaɾ/
Meaning
- verbmake dirty
Example
¿Por qué siempre ensucias tus pantalones?
Why do you always make your pants dirty?
More examples
No quiero ensuciar la casa con barro.
I don't want to dirty the house with mud.
Core concept
A white shirt splattered with mud.
Common phrases
ensuciar las manos
dirty one's hands
ensuciar los zapatos
dirty one's shoes
ensuciar la casa
dirty the house
Similar words
manchar: Marks fabric or clothing with a stain that alters its look.
ensuciarse: Becomes soiled on body or clothing when grime or dust lands on it.
pringar: Makes hands or clothes grimy with oily, sticky dirt that clings.
salpicar: Flings droplets that dot a surface with small stains or splashes.
Definition in Spanish
Hacer que algo tenga suciedad o manchas.
Word origin
Derives from the Spanish adjective sucio (ultimately from Latin sordidus), with the prefix en- and the verb ending -ar forming a verb that means to make something dirty.
Usage tips
- When something becomes dirty on its own Spanish uses ensuciarse, while ensuciar indicates an agent makes something dirty, and manchar emphasizes leaving a visible stain.