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"Lavarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to wash", and "asearse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to get washed and dressed". Learn more about the difference between "lavarse" and "asearse" below.
lavarse(
lah
-
bahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to wash
¡Lávate bien! Vienes muy sucio del partido.Wash properly! You're really dirty from the game.
Lávate bien las manos antes de tocarte los ojos.Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes.
lavar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to clean)
a. to wash
Tienes que lavar la fruta antes de comértela.You need to wash the fruit before eating it.
b. to launder (clothes, linens)
¿Quieres que te lave esta camisa?Do you want me to launder this shirt for you?
asearse(
ah
-
seh
-
ahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
1. (formal) (to spruce oneself up)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. to get washed and dressed
Me aseé y fui a la cita a ciegas.I got washed and dressed and went to the blind date.
b. to clean oneself up (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Después del partido, me fui a casa y me aseé.After the game, I went home and cleaned myself up.
c. to smarten oneself up (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Pablo se aseó y se puso un traje elegante.Pablo smartened himself up and put on a fancy suit.
d. to tidy oneself up (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Me aseé y bajé las escaleras, pero mi esposa todavía no estaba lista.I tidied myself up and went downstairs, but my wife wasn't ready.
asear
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (formal) (to make clean)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. to clean
Asea tu habitación y pon la ropa sucia en la lavadora.Clean your room and put your dirty clothes in the washer.
b. to clean up (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Después de cocinar, lavé los platos y aseé la cocina.After cooking, I did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen.
c. to tidy up (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Asea la sala de estar. Los invitados llegarán pronto.Tidy up the living room. The guests are about to arrive.
