Portuguese Phrase
Lavo a louça.
Meaning
Literally ‘I wash the dishes.’ It can describe a habitual action (I usually wash the dishes) or a current activity (I’m washing the dishes right now).
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to tell someone what you are doing in the kitchen, when you are assigning chores, or when you are describing a daily routine after a meal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lavoalouça
Lavo (verbo lavar)
‘Lavo’ is the first‑person singular present indicative of ‘lavar’ (to wash). It is formed by dropping the infinitive ending –ar and adding –o.
a (artigo definido)
The feminine singular definite article ‘a’ agrees with the noun ‘louça’, which is feminine.
louça (substantivo)
‘Louça’ refers to dishes, plates, cups and other kitchenware that need washing; it is a feminine noun.
🗨In Conversation
O que você está fazendo?
What are you doing?
Lavo a louça.
I’m washing the dishes.
✕Common Mistakes
Lava a louça.
‘Lava’ is third‑person singular; you need ‘Lavo’ for ‘I’. Use ‘Ele/ela lava a louça’ for third person.
Lavo o louça.
The article must agree in gender: ‘a louça’ (feminine), not ‘o louça’.
Eu lavo a louça.
While not grammatically wrong, the subject pronoun ‘eu’ is usually omitted in Portuguese unless you need emphasis.
↔Alternatives
Estou lavando a louça.
I am washing the dishes.
Já lavei a louça.
I have already washed the dishes.
Lavo os pratos.
I wash the plates.
Vou lavar a louça.
I’m going to wash the dishes.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, washing dishes (lavar a louça) is often a shared household chore. It’s common to say ‘vou lavar a louça’ as a polite way of offering to help after a meal. In more formal settings you might hear ‘fazer a louça’, especially in the South, but ‘lavar a louça’ is universally understood.