lavar
verb
1. wash
clean something or the body with water and sometimes soap
Common combinations
- lavarse las manos — wash one's hands
- lavar los platos — wash the dishes
- lavar el coche — wash the car
- Lávate las manos antes de comer.Wash your hands before eating.
- Voy a lavar el coche.I'm going to wash the car.
- Ella lava los platos después de cenar.She washes the dishes after dinner.
2. launder, wash
clean clothes and other fabrics with water and detergent
Common combinations
- lavar la ropa — do the laundry
- lavar a mano — wash by hand
- lavar en la lavadora — wash in the washing machine
- Tengo que lavar la ropa.I have to do the laundry.
- Esta camisa se lava a mano.This shirt must be washed by hand.
- La lavadora lava las toallas.The washing machine washes the towels.
3. launder
make illegally obtained money appear legal
Common combinations
- lavar dinero — launder money
- dinero lavado — laundered money
- red de lavado de dinero — money-laundering network
- La empresa lavaba dinero.The company was laundering money.
- No uses ese negocio para lavar dinero.Don't use that business to launder money.
- La policía investigó una red que lavaba dinero.The police investigated a money-laundering network.
Same root
Phrases with this word