Lavar: wash objects and hands

The idea

Use lavo with yo; use nos lavamos las manos when we wash our own hands.

Examples

• Lavo la taza después del desayuno.I wash the cup after breakfast.
• Ella lava las verduras antes de cocinarlas.She washes the vegetables before cooking them.
• Nos lavamos las manos antes de comer.We wash our hands before eating.
• ¿Puedes lavar la camisa hoy?Can you wash the shirt today?
• Me lavo las manos con agua y jabón.I wash my hands with soap and water.
• Ellos lavan los platos después de la cena.They wash the dishes after dinner.

Watch out

The reflexive pronoun identifies whose hands are washed; the body part commonly takes las.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the present form for yo: Yo ___ la taza. (lavo / lavas)

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   lavo

   Lavo is the present form for yo.

2. Choose the pronoun and verb for nosotros washing their own hands: Nosotros ___ las manos antes de comer. (nos lavamos / me lavamos)

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   nos lavamos

   Nos lavamos identifies nosotros washing their own hands.

3. Choose the action that cleans the cup: La taza está sucia; quiero limpiarla con agua: voy a ___. (lavarla / ensuciarla)

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   lavarla

   Lavarla means washing the cup; ensuciarla means making it dirty.

Use it today

Describe when you wash your hands and what you wash after dinner.