Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Laundry in Spanish: Lavandería / Ropa Sucia
Lavandería · noun (feminine) · lah-vahn-deh-REE-ah
The word 'laundry' translates differently depending on whether you mean the place, the task, or the clothes. 'Lavandería' refers to the laundromat or laundry room. 'Ropa sucia' means dirty clothes awaiting washing. In Spain, 'la colada' refers to the wash itself or a load of laundry. All three terms are essential for discussing this everyday chore.
Pronounce 'lavandería' as lah-vahn-deh-REE-ah, with five syllables and stress on the fourth. The accent on the 'i' marks the stress.
Llevo la ropa sucia a la lavandería que está a dos cuadras de casa.
I take the dirty laundry to the laundromat two blocks from home.
Laundry in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for laundry, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| lavandería | laundry | lah-vahn-deh-REE-ah | Default, widely understood |
| ropa sucia | laundry | refers to dirty clothes awaiting washing | |
| colada | laundry | Spain, refers to the wash load or the act of doing laundry |
How Native Speakers Use Lavandería
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Chore delegation
¿Puedes poner la ropa sucia en la lavadora?
Can you put the dirty laundry in the washing machine?
Asking a family member to help with chores.
Finding a service
¿Hay una lavandería cerca del hotel?
Is there a laundry service near the hotel?
Traveling and needing clean clothes.
Weekend routine
Siempre hago la colada los sábados por la mañana.
I always do the laundry on Saturday mornings.
Describing a weekly routine in Spain.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Lavandería
Using lavandería for dirty clothes
Incorrect: Pon la lavandería en la canasta.
Correct: Pon la ropa sucia en la canasta.
'Lavandería' refers to the physical place or service, not to the clothes themselves — use 'ropa sucia' for the dirty garments.
Confusing lavar with lavandería
Incorrect: Necesito comprar más lavandería (meaning detergent).
Correct: Necesito comprar más detergente.
'Lavandería' is the laundry location, not the washing product — detergent is 'detergente' or 'jabón para ropa.'
Lock in Laundry Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Lavandería used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Laundry in Spanish
- How do I say 'do the laundry' in Spanish?
- The most common expressions are 'lavar la ropa' (wash the clothes) in Latin America and 'hacer la colada' in Spain, both referring to the complete process of washing, drying, and folding.
- What is the difference between lavandería and tintorería?
- A 'lavandería' handles regular clothes washing, while a 'tintorería' is a dry cleaner that uses chemical solvents instead of water to clean delicate fabrics.
- How do I say 'laundry basket' in Spanish?
- A laundry basket is 'cesto de ropa sucia' or 'canasta de ropa,' with 'cesto' being more common in Spain and 'canasta' preferred in much of Latin America.