frotar

to rub

verb froh-TAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin frictare, frequentative of fricare ('to rub').

Also means

to scrub

Usage Note

Frotar is a regular -ar verb meaning to rub or scrub a surface. It differs from fregar in that frotar stresses the back-and-forth rubbing motion itself, while fregar focuses on washing. The reflexive frotarse means 'to rub oneself': frotarse las manos ('to rub one's hands together') is also a fixed expression of anticipation or satisfaction.

Examples

"Frotó la mancha con un paño húmedo."

Natural Translation

She rubbed the stain with a damp cloth.

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