lavar la cara (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The phrase "lavar la cara" is a verb phrase in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

/lɐˈβaɾ la ˈkaɾa/

Translation Options into English

• to wash the face

Meaning and Usage

"Lavar la cara" literally translates to "to wash the face." It refers to the act of cleansing the face using water and possibly soap or other facial cleansing products. The phrase is widely used in both oral and written contexts but is more frequently encountered in everyday speech, particularly in casual settings, such as discussions about personal hygiene or daily routines.

Example Sentences

1. Después de hacer ejercicio, necesito lavar la cara para sentirme fresco.

2. After exercising, I need to wash my face to feel fresh.

3. Es importante lavar la cara antes de dormir para evitar el acné.

4. It is important to wash your face before sleeping to avoid acne.

Idiomatic Expressions

The phrase "lavar la cara" also appears in idiomatic expressions, often conveying a metaphorical sense of improving one's reputation or appearance.

Example Sentences with Idiomatic Expressions

1. Necesitamos lavar la cara de nuestra empresa tras el escándalo.

2. We need to wash the face of our company after the scandal.

3. Después de la crítica, intentó lavar la cara de su imagen pública.

4. After the criticism, he tried to wash the face of his public image.

5. Para limpiar su reputación, trabajó arduamente para lavar la cara de sus errores pasados.

6. To clean his reputation, he worked hard to wash the face of his past mistakes.

Etymology

The word "lavar" comes from the Latin "lavare," meaning "to wash." The word "cara" comes from Latin "cara," which means "face."

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Limpiar la cara (to clean the face) - Higienizar la cara (to sanitize the face)

Antonyms: - Suciar la cara (to dirty the face) - Desatender la limpieza facial (to neglect facial cleaning)

This comprehensive overview aims to provide context and understanding for the phrase "lavar la cara" in colloquial Spanish usage.