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"Frotarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to rub", and "restregarse" is a pronominal verb which is also often translated as "to rub". Learn more about the difference between "frotarse" and "restregarse" below.
frotarse(
froh
-
tahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to rub
Me froté la espalda suavemente por la quemada del sol.I rubbed my back softly because of the sunburn.
2. (vulgar) (to masturbate)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
a. to jerk off (vulgar) (United States)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in the United States
Se la frotó viendo una película pornográfica.He jerked off watching a pornographic movie.
b. to wank (vulgar) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Se metió al baño a frotarse.He went into the bathroom to wank.
frotar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
restregarse(
rrehs
-
treh
-
gahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
1. (to chafe)
a. to rub
Cuando un niño se restriega los ojos significa que tiene sueño.When a child rubs his eyes it means he's sleepy.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
2. (to chafe)
a. to rub
El gato se restregaba contra mis piernas porque quería que le diera su comida.The cat was rubbing against my legs because he wanted me to give him his food.
restregar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to rub
En la película un genio salía de la lámpara mágica al restregarla.In the movie a genie came out of the magic lamp when it was rubbed.
b. to rub hard
Si quieres acabar con esa mancha, tendrás que restregarla.If you want to get rid of that stain you'll have to rub it hard.
c. to scrub (for cleaning)
Esta suciedad solo se quita restregando con un estropajo.You'll only get this dirt out by scrubbing it with a scourer.
