fregar

to scrub

verb freh-GAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin fricare ('to rub').

Also means

to wash (dishes)

Usage Note

Fregar is an -ar verb with a stem change: e -> ie in stressed syllables (friego, friegas...), and a spelling change g -> gu before e (fregué). In Spain it primarily means 'to scrub' or 'to wash up dishes'; in Latin America fregar also carries the sense of 'to bother, to annoy' (¡No me friegues! — 'Don't bug me!'), making it a false friend across regions.

Examples

"Ella fregó los platos después de cenar."

Natural Translation

She washed the dishes after dinner.

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