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"Limpiar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to clean", and "asear" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to clean". Learn more about the difference between "limpiar" and "asear" below.
limpiar(
leem
-
pyahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to clean
Hay que limpiar el baño, está asqueroso.We need to clean the bathroom. It is disgusting.
c. to wipe down
Después de cenar siempre limpio la mesa y las encimeras.After dinner, I always wipe down the table and the countertops.
d. to wipe off
Hay que limpiar la mesa antes de que vengan los invitados.The table needs to be wiped off before the guests arrive.
f. to cleanse (skin)
Esta loción limpia la piel sin secarla.This lotion cleanses the skin without drying it out.
2. (to remove)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
limpiarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
d. to clean oneself up
¿No vas a limpiarte un poco antes de salir?Aren't you going to clean yourself up a little before going out?
asear(
ah
-
seh
-
ahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (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.
asearse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
2. (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.
