Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Dishwasher in Spanish: Lavavajillas & Lavaplatos
Lavavajillas · noun (masculine) · lah-bah-bah-HEE-yahs
The Spanish word for dishwasher is 'lavavajillas' in Spain and 'lavaplatos' in most of Latin America. Both are compound words combining 'lavar' (to wash) with 'vajilla' (dishware) or 'platos' (plates). The word refers to the machine, and in some contexts, 'lavaplatos' can also mean a person who washes dishes.
Say lah-bah-bah-HEE-yahs for 'lavavajillas,' stressing the fourth syllable. 'Lavaplatos' is said lah-bah-PLAH-tohs.
Pon los platos en el lavavajillas, por favor.
Put the plates in the dishwasher, please.
Dishwasher in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for dishwasher, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| lavavajillas | dishwasher | lah-bah-bah-HEE-yahs | Default, widely understood |
| lavaplatos | dishwasher | common in Latin America | |
| lavatrastos | dishwasher | used in Central America |
How Native Speakers Use Lavavajillas
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Kitchen chore
El lavavajillas terminó su ciclo de lavado.
The dishwasher finished its wash cycle.
Noticing the appliance has completed.
Moving in
Este apartamento tiene lavaplatos incluido.
This apartment includes a dishwasher.
Discussing apartment amenities.
Detergent shopping
Necesitamos comprar detergente para el lavavajillas.
We need to buy dishwasher detergent.
Adding items to a shopping list.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Lavavajillas
Wrong article
Incorrect: La lavavajillas está llena.
Correct: El lavavajillas está lleno.
'Lavavajillas' is masculine despite ending in '-as.' It takes the article 'el' and masculine adjective forms.
Inventing a plural
Incorrect: Tenemos dos lavavajillases en la cocina.
Correct: Tenemos dos lavavajillas en la cocina.
'Lavavajillas' is invariable in number—it does not change form between singular and plural. Only the article changes: 'el lavavajillas' vs. 'los lavavajillas.'
Lock in Dishwasher Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Lavavajillas used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using lavavajillas in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pon los platos en el lavavajillas, por favor. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Dishwasher in Spanish
- Is lavavajillas or lavaplatos more common?
- In Spain, 'lavavajillas' is the standard term, while 'lavaplatos' dominates in Latin America, though both are understood across the Spanish-speaking world.
- Can lavaplatos refer to a person?
- In some Latin American countries, 'lavaplatos' can also mean a dishwasher as a person—someone who washes dishes by hand, particularly in restaurant settings.
- Is lavavajillas masculine or feminine?
- Despite ending in '-as,' 'lavavajillas' is masculine, taking the article 'el' in singular and 'los' in plural, which is common for compound nouns starting with a verb.