lavar

to wash

lavar(lah-bahr)

transitive verb

1. (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?

lavarse

reflexive verb

2. (to clean oneself)

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

transitive verb

1. (limpiar)

a. to wash

lavar a manoto hand-wash, to wash by hand

lavar y marcarshampoo and set

lavar en secoto dry-clean

2. (fig)

a.

lavarle el cerebro a alguiento brainwash somebody

3. (honor)

a. to clear

4. (ofensa)

a. to make up for

intransitive verb

5. (detergente)

a. to get things clean

6. (hacer la colada)

a. to do the washing

pronominal verb

7. (general)

a. to wash

espera un momento, que me estoy lavandohold on a minute, I'm washing o I'm getting washed

lavarse las manos/la carato wash one's hands/face

lavarse los dientesto brush o clean one's teeth

Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited

lavar

transitive verb

1 (limpiar) to wash

lávale la cabeza a la niña wash the child's hair; lavar los platos to wash the dishes; do the washing up; lavar en seco to dry-clean; lavar y marcar to shampoo and set; tejanos lavados a la piedra stonewashed jeans; camisa de lava y pon drip-dry shirt

2 [+dinero] to launder

3 [+honor, ofensa, pecado] to wash away

4 (Minería) to wash

pronominal verb

lavarse to wash; have a wash

tengo que lavarme antes de salir I need to wash o have a wash before going out; lavarse los dientes to clean one's teeth; me lavé las manos antes de comer I washed my hands before eating; el gobierno se lavó las manos ante este asunto the government washed their hands of the whole affair