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"Refregar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to rub", and "restregar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to rub". Learn more about the difference between "refregar" and "restregar" below.
refregar(
rreh
-
freh
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to touch)
a. to rub
Si refriegas la arcilla con las manos, poco a poco se ablandará.If you rub the clay with your hands, little by little, it'll soften.
2. (to clean)
a. to scrub
Tuve que refregar la alfombra durante varios minutos para eliminar la mancha.I had to scrub the rug for several minutes to remove the stain.
3. (colloquial) (figurative) (to gloat)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to rub it in
¿Quieres dejar de refregarme que tienes un coche nuevo?Will you stop rubbing it in that you have a brand new car?
refregarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to touch)
a. to rub
Después de refregarse contra la pierna de su amo, el gato empezó a maullar.After rubbing against his owner's leg, the cat started meowing.
restregar(
rrehs
-
treh
-
gahr
)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.
restregarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
2. (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.).
3. (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.
