lavar la vajilla

to do the dishes

lavar la vajilla(lah-bahr lah bah-hee-yah)

intransitive verb phrase

1. (general)

a. to do the dishes

¿Con qué detergente lavan la vajilla?

What soap do you use to do the dishes?

b. to wash the dishes

Lavé la vajilla y recogí la cocina.

I washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.

c. to do the washing-up (United Kingdom)

Gracias por hacer la cena. Yo lavo la vajilla.

Thank you for making dinner. I'll do the washing-up.

d. to wash up (United Kingdom)

Se me da muy mal lavar la vajilla. - Lo sé, pero te toca.

I'm terrible at washing up. - I know, but it's your turn.