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fregar means to mess up / to scrub — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 5, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

fregar

verb • /[fre-GAR]/

to mess up / to scrub

Example:

No friegues mis cosas.

Don’t mess with my stuff.

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🧠 What does fregar mean?

Fregar is a versatile verb with two main meanings, especially in Mexican Spanish. It can mean 'to mess up' or 'to bother/annoy' in a slang context, and it can also mean 'to scrub' or 'to wash dishes'. Understanding the context is key to interpreting the correct meaning. It's similar to the English word "screw up" but can also mean to do chores like scrubbing.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¡No fregues! Perdí mi teléfono.
    Oh, shoot! I lost my phone.
  • Me fregué el examen de español.
    I messed up the Spanish exam.
  • Deja de fregarme con tus preguntas.
    Stop bothering me with your questions.
  • Tengo que fregar los platos después de la cena.
    I have to wash the dishes after dinner.
  • Estoy fregando el piso de la cocina.
    I'm scrubbing the kitchen floor.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to mess up / to scrub' in Spanish?
The Spanish verb 'fregar' covers both meanings depending on context. It's commonly used in Mexican Spanish.
How do you pronounce 'fregar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced fre-GAR, with the emphasis on the second syllable. The 'g' has a soft 'g' sound like in the word 'get'.
How do you use 'fregar' in a sentence?
Examples: '¡No fregues!' (Oh, shoot!), 'Me fregué el examen' (I messed up the exam), or 'Voy a fregar los platos' (I'm going to wash the dishes).
What is the English translation of 'fregar'?
It translates to 'mess up', 'bother/annoy', or 'scrub/wash dishes' depending on the context.
Does 'fregar' change for gender or number?
Yes, like all Spanish verbs, 'fregar' conjugates according to the subject pronoun (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros, vosotros, ellos/ellas/ustedes).
Is 'fregar' common in everyday Spanish?
It's quite common, especially in Mexican Spanish. It's used frequently in informal settings.
Does 'fregar' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, the slang meaning of 'to mess up' or 'to bother' is very common in Mexican Spanish. The meaning of 'to scrub' is more literal.
Is 'fregar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While it's understood across the Spanish-speaking world, the slang usage of 'fregar' to mean 'mess up' or 'bother' is more prevalent in Mexico. In Spain, 'fregar' is mostly used to mean 'to scrub' or 'to wash dishes'.
How do you conjugate 'fregar' in Spanish?
Here are some present tense conjugations: Yo frego, Tú friegas, Él/Ella/Usted friega, Nosotros fregamos, Vosotros fregáis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes friegan.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "fregar"

Synonyms: estropear, molestar, fastidiar, tallar, lavar
Opposites: arreglar, componer, ayudar

💡 Did You Know?

In some Latin American countries, "fregar" can also be used playfully, like "Don't mess with me!"

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