Spanish Conversation · Level 121
60 words
Spanish word
fregar
Pronunciation
IPA/fɾeˈɣaɾ/
Meaning
- verbdo the dishes
Example
¿Puedes fregar los platos, por favor?
Can you do the dishes, please?
More examples
Después de la fiesta, tuve que fregar el suelo.
After the party, I had to mop the floor.
Core concept
Scrubbing plates with water and soap.
Common phrases
fregar los platos
do the dishes
fregar el suelo
mop the floor
Similar words
lavar: Washes items thoroughly with water and detergent to remove general dirt and grime.
enjuagar: Rinses away soap, suds, or residue using clean water.
secar: Removes water from items using a towel or air so they become dry.
limpiar: Clears away dirt and debris to make a surface or space clean.
Definition in Spanish
Frotar con agua y jabón platos u objetos para quitar suciedad; por extensión, fregar el suelo y, coloquialmente, fastidiar a alguien.
Word origin
From Latin fricare 'to rub', whose sense of rubbing led Spanish fregar to mean washing by scrubbing and connects it to frotar and friction.
Usage tips
- Colloquially, fregar can also mean to annoy (for example no me friegues 'don't bother me'), so context indicates whether it refers to washing or irritation.