lavar

Senses

1. 1.

   to wash

   to clean something with water and usually soap or detergent

2. 2.

   to wash oneself

   to clean one's own body or body parts (reflexive)

3. 3.

   to launder (money)

   to conceal the origins of illegally obtained money

Examples

• "Preciso lavar a roupa hoje."

  I need to wash the clothes today.

• "Ela se lavou antes de dormir."

  She washed herself before sleeping.

• "Vou lavar o carro no fim de semana."

  I'm going to wash the car on the weekend.

Usage

Very common everyday verb. Typical collocations include "lavar roupa" (do laundry), "lavar louça" (wash dishes), "lavar as mãos" (wash hands), and "lavar o cabelo" (wash hair). When used reflexively with body parts, Portuguese uses the definite article: "lavar as mãos" not "lavar minhas mãos."