The Spanish word for vacuum is "aspiradora"

Aspiradora is the standard Spanish word for a vacuum cleaner. It comes from the verb "aspirar," which means to suck or draw in. In most Spanish-speaking countries — Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Argentina — this is the word you will hear and use.

The word works as a noun. You say "Necesito una aspiradora" (I need a vacuum) or "Voy a usar la aspiradora" (I'm going to use the vacuum). The plural is "aspiradoras." It is a feminine noun in Spanish, so it takes the article "la" rather than "el."

In some regions, particularly parts of Central America and the Caribbean, you may also hear la aspiradora de polvo (the dust sucker) or straightforward la máquina (the machine), but aspiradora is understood everywhere and is the safest choice if you are learning Spanish or traveling to a Spanish-speaking country.

Key Takeaways

  • Aspiradora is the word for vacuum cleaner across all major Spanish-speaking regions, from Spain to Mexico to Argentina.
  • The verb aspirar means to suck or draw in, which is where the noun aspiradora comes from.
  • You can say "pasar la aspiradora" to mean "to vacuum" — literally, to pass the vacuum, and this is the most common way Spanish speakers describe the action.
  • Related cleaning words include escoba (broom), trapeador (mop), polvo (dust), and limpiar (to clean).
  • The word is pronounced "ahs-pee-rah-DOH-rah," with stress on the second-to-last syllable.

How to use "aspiradora" in a sentence

The most common phrase is pasar la aspiradora, which means to vacuum. Literally it translates to "pass the vacuum," but it is the standard way Spanish speakers say they are vacuuming. You might say "Voy a pasar la aspiradora en la sala" (I'm going to vacuum the living room) or "¿Pasaste la aspiradora?" (Did you vacuum?).

If you need to talk about the machine itself, you use aspiradora as a regular noun: "La aspiradora está rota" (The vacuum is broken), "Compré una aspiradora nueva" (I bought a new vacuum), or "¿Dónde está la aspiradora?" (Where is the vacuum?). You can also say "Necesito reparar la aspiradora" (I need to repair the vacuum).

When you are talking about the action in past tense, the phrase stays the same: "Pasé la aspiradora ayer" (I vacuumed yesterday). The verb pasar changes to match the tense, but aspiradora does not. In present progressive, you say "Estoy pasando la aspiradora" (I am vacuuming right now).

Related Spanish cleaning vocabulary

If you are learning Spanish and need to talk about cleaning, these words come up often. Escoba is a broom, and barrer means to sweep. Trapeador (or fregona in Spain) is a mop, and trapear or fregar means to mop. Polvo is dust, and sucio means dirty. Limpio means clean.

You will also hear limpiar, which means to clean in general. Detergente is detergent, and desinfectante is disinfectant. Trapo is a cloth or rag, and esponja is a sponge. These words work across Spanish-speaking countries and are useful if you are hiring someone to clean, talking to a roommate, or describing household tasks in conversation.

Regional variations and what to know

Aspiradora is the dominant term, but some regions have slight variations in how they talk about vacuuming. In Spain, you may hear people say pasar el aspirador (using the masculine form) instead of la aspiradora (feminine). Both are correct; it is a regional preference that does not affect meaning.

In a few areas of Central America, older speakers might use la máquina de limpiar (the cleaning machine) or straightforward refer to it by brand name, the way English speakers sometimes say "Hoover." But if you say aspiradora, you will be understood when ready, and it is the word you should learn first.

If you are buying a vacuum or talking to a salesperson, aspiradora is always the right choice. If you are reading product descriptions online, you will see aspiradora, aspirador, and sometimes aspiradora de polvo — all referring to the same thing. Online retailers in Spanish-speaking countries use aspiradora as the standard search term.

Pronunciation guide for aspiradora

The word is pronounced "ahs-pee-rah-DOH-rah." Break it into syllables: as-pi-ra-do-ra. The stress falls on the second-to-last syllable, the "do." The "a" sounds are like the "a" in "father," the "i" is like the "ee" in "see," and the final "a" is short and quick.

If you are not sure about your pronunciation, listen to a Spanish speaker say it — many online dictionaries and translation tools have audio. Hearing it spoken will help you remember it better than reading it. Practice saying it slowly at first, then speed up once you feel comfortable with the syllables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is aspiradora used in all Spanish-speaking countries?

Yes. Aspiradora is understood and used in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and throughout Central and South America. It is the standard word across the Spanish-speaking world, though some regions may use the masculine form "aspirador" instead of the feminine "aspiradora."

What is the verb form — how do I say "I am vacuuming"?

The phrase is "pasar la aspiradora." You say "Estoy pasando la aspiradora" (I am vacuuming right now) or straightforward "Paso la aspiradora" (I vacuum or I am vacuuming). The verb that changes is pasar (to pass); aspiradora stays the same regardless of tense.

Can I just say "aspirar" to mean vacuum?

Aspirar by itself means to suck or breathe in, but it is not commonly used alone to mean vacuuming. The standard phrase is "pasar la aspiradora." If you say "Voy a aspirar," a Spanish speaker will understand you are vacuuming, but it is not the natural way to say it.

What if I need to talk about a handheld vacuum or a robot vacuum?

A handheld vacuum is "aspiradora de mano" (hand vacuum). A robot vacuum is "aspiradora robótica" or "robot aspirador." These are more specific terms, but if you just say aspiradora, the context usually makes clear which type you mean.