To wash or clean the windows

Question

Is there any difference between "to wash the windows" and "to clean the windows". Thank you beforehand.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, I saw it in a grammar book for children.

Answer 2

Yes, in Spanish we say "limpiar las ventanas" (clean the windows). I want to know why they say: "wash the windows". Will there be any difference between the one and the other?. I cannot understand why they use both of them.

I am curious. Where did you see the phrase "wash the windows?" That might help us know why they used it?

Answer 3

We say:

You have to do a bucal cleaning.- tienes que hacerte una limpieza bucal.

(Then, we use "clean"). But it is true that in Spanish, it sounds better "wash" and "brush" whey you are talking about the teeth.

Anyway, I think the answer above is correct. Perhaps the only one that had to be qualified is this.

"I wash my teeth", "I clean my teeth" and "I brush my teeth".

What do you think about "clean" in this example? Is it the same as in Spanish?

I have just looked up "limpiar los dientes" on the Internet. And it is a normal expression. Perhaps, it sounds strange to me because it sounds more formal. Suddenly, I had that doubt. But, it is true that in Spanish it is used "limpiar" too. And, in English, also it appears "clean my teeth".

Answer 4

Well, I was thinking that there are no rules as I thought. By the way, I had to make a correction above because "wash" is "lavar o fregar".

The easiest thing for me is to think that "wash" can be used when more amount of water is needed to do the cleaning. Anyway, as most times, you have to learn its use with the sentences when there are no rules.

But, let me think, Lauriti. I have just understood the difference.

I wash my car = lavo el coche

I clean my car = limpiar el coche

I wash my teeth = me lavo los dientes

I clean my teeth = limpio mis dientes

I wash my hands = lavo mis manos

I clean my hands = limpio mis manos

There is the answer, Lauriti. You were right. Thank you.

You've got it...these are all correct. - --Mariana--, Dec 2, 2009

Answer 5

Yes, in Spanish we say "limpiar las ventanas" (clean the windows). I want to know why they say: "wash the windows". Will there be any difference between the one and the other?. I cannot understand why they use both of them.

Under my point of view, we say "wash" (fregar o lavar) when you use a greater amount of water. For me, it would be "clean the windows" (limpiar) as we say in Spanish.