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"Saca la basura" is a phrase which is often translated as "take out the trash", and "lava los platos" is a phrase which is often translated as "do the dishes". Learn more about the difference between "saca la basura" and "lava los platos" below.
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
1.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
(informal)
(imperative; singular)
a. take out the trash
Antes de quitarte el abrigo, saca la basura, por favor.Before taking off your coat, take out the trash, please.
b. take out the rubbish
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Saca la basura, que están a punto de pasar a recogerla.Take out the rubbish. They're about to come and collect it.
a. she takes out the trash (feminine)
Yo sé que Ana, siempre que saca la basura, aprovecha para fumarse un cigarro.I know Ana, whenever she takes out the trash, uses the opportunity to smoke a cigarette.
b. she takes out the rubbish (feminine)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Saca la basura y se deja aquí la mitad. Esta niña está en las nubes.She takes out the rubbish and leaves half of it behind. This girl has her head in the clouds.
c. he takes out the trash (maculine)
Es mi marido quien saca normalmente la basura, pero hoy está de viaje.It's my husband who usually takes out the trash, but he's away today.
d. he takes out the rubbish (maculine)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Él saca la basura, eso es todo, pero cualquiera que lo oiga pensará que nos repartimos el trabajo de la casa.He takes out the rubbish, that's all, but anyone listening to him would think we share the housework.
3.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(used to express an action in the present; singular)
a. you take out the trash
Pero ¿cómo saca usted la basura con lo que pesa? La próxima vez avíseme y lo hago yo.But how come you take out the trash when it's so heavy? Next time let me know, and I'll do it.
b. you take out the rubbish
Usted no se habrá dado cuenta, pero, cuando saca la basura, a veces gotea y nos ensucia el portal.You probably haven't noticed, but when you take out the rubbish, it leaks and makes the entrance dirty sometimes.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
lava los platos(
lah
-
bah
 
lohs
 
plah
-
tohs
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
1.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
(informal)
(imperative; second person singular)
a. do the dishes
¡Lava los platos tú! Yo cociné.You do the dishes! I cooked.
b. wash the dishes
Lava los platos antes de acostarte.Wash the dishes before going to bed.
a. he does the dishes
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
(masculine)
Mi esposo no cocina, pero lava los platos.My husband doesn't cook, but he does the dishes.
b. she does the dishes
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
Le dije a Alejandra que la voy a llevar al cine si lava los platos.I told Alejandra that I'm going to take her to the movies if she does the dishes.
c. he washes the dishes
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
(masculine)
¿Vas a ayudar a David con su tarea? - Lo hago si lava los platos.Are you going to help David with his homework? - I'll do it if he washes the dishes.
d. she washes the dishes
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
A Marta le gusta escuchar podcasts cuando lava los platos.Marta likes to listen to podcasts when she washes the dishes.
3.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(second person singular)
a. you do the dishes
Si lava los platos, yo saco la basura.If you do the dishes, I'll take out the trash.
b. you wash the dishes
¿Por qué usa guantes cuando lava los platos?Why do you wear gloves when you wash the dishes?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.