Noun
/freˈɡona/
The term "fregona" refers to a cleaning tool specifically used for mopping floors. It typically consists of a bundle of string or cloth attached to a handle. The word is commonly used in everyday contexts, particularly in households and cleaning settings. In Puerto Rico, "fregona" may also colloquially refer to the act of mopping or cleaning floors.
In terms of frequency, "fregona" is used quite frequently in oral speech, especially among homemakers, cleaners, and in discussions about household chores. It might appear less often in formal written contexts but is still recognized across various forms of communication.
Mi madre compró una fregona nueva para limpiar la casa.
My mother bought a new mop to clean the house.
Asegúrate de usar la fregona en el suelo antes de que lleguen los invitados.
Make sure to use the mop on the floor before the guests arrive.
La fregona se ha vuelto un utensilio indispensable en nuestra cocina.
The mop has become an indispensable tool in our kitchen.
While "fregona" is not widely featured in idiomatic expressions, it can occasionally be used in phrases relating to cleanliness or home care. Here are a few examples of how it might appear in expressions:
Ella siempre le mete mano a la fregona cuando se trata de limpiar la casa.
(She always puts her hands on the mop when it comes to cleaning the house.)
Ser más limpio que una fregona nueva
(To be cleaner than a new mop)
Después de organizar su habitación, se siente más limpio que una fregona nueva.
(After organizing his room, he feels cleaner than a new mop.)
Dejar la fregona en el rincón
(To leave the mop in the corner)
The word "fregona" derives from the Spanish verb "fregar," which means "to scrub" or "to wash." The diminutive form "fregona" suggests a smaller, hand-held version of the tool typically used for cleaning. The term has likely evolved from the need to describe more effective floor cleaning methods in domestic settings.
Synonyms: - Trapeador (mop) - Mocho (another type of mop)
Antonyms: - Suciedad (dirt) - Desorden (mess)