vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Lavaplatos" is a noun which is often translated as "dishwasher", and "lavavajillas" is a noun which is also often translated as "dishwasher". Learn more about the difference between "lavaplatos" and "lavavajillas" below.
el lavaplatos(
lah
-
bah
-
plah
-
tohs
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. dishwasher
Mañana viene el técnico a arreglar el lavaplatos.The repairman is coming tomorrow to repair the dishwasher.
Cuando acabe el lavaplatos, vacíalo.When the dishwasher is done, unload it.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
3. (profession)
a. dishwasher
Durante las vacaciones de verano, trabajaba como lavaplatos en un restaurante.During summer vacation, I worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant.
el lavavajillas(
lah
-
bah
-
bah
-
hee
-
yahs
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. dish soap (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Lavé los platos con un lavavajillas con aroma a limón.I did the dishes with lemon-scented dish soap.
b. dishwashing liquid (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Solo necesité un par de gotas de lavavajillas para lavar todos los platos.Only a few drops of dishwashing liquid were necessary to do all the dishes.
c. washing-up liquid (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡No usaste lavavajillas! Lavaste los platos solo con agua.You didn't use washing-up liquid! You just ran the dishes under water.
