Introduction
Learning how to report a household problem like a leaking sink is practical and empowering for Spanish learners. This article explains clear, natural ways to say the sink is leaking in Spanish, plus useful verbs, vocabulary, polite phrases, and short dialogues for everyday situations.
Key vocabulary: sink and leak
Start by knowing the two main words: sink and leak. The common Spanish word for sink varies by region. Use fregadero for kitchen sink in Spain and many formal contexts. Use lavabo for bathroom sink or a washbasin in many Spanish-speaking countries. For general use, pila or lavadero can also appear regionally. The verb for leak is goterear when talking about small drops and tener una fuga or haber una fuga for a more serious leak.
Important verbs and forms
The verbs you should learn and recognize include:
goterear — to drip, to leak slowly. Conjugated: yo goteo, está goteando, está goteado. Use for continuous dripping sounds.
fugarse and haber una fuga — to leak (more formal, often for pipes). Example conjugation: hay una fuga, se está fugando is less common; prefer hay una fuga.
romperse — to break, useful if the sink or pipe broke causing the leak. Combine with other verbs: la tubería se rompió.
Simple, natural ways to say The sink is leaking
Begin with short, direct sentences that work in emergencies or casual conversation.
El fregadero está goteando
This is perfect for a kitchen sink that is dripping. Use in Spain and formal settings.
El fregadero está goteando is common in conversation.
El lavabo está goteando
Use this for a bathroom sink.
El lavabo está goteando is the same structure but changes the noun to match the fixture.
La tubería tiene una fuga
This is more formal and points to the pipe rather than the sink itself. Use when speaking with a plumber or landlord.
La tubería tiene una fuga emphasizes the pipe as the problem.
El grifo está goteando
If the leak comes from the faucet use this phrase. Grifo specifically means faucet or tap.
El grifo está goteando focuses on the faucet as the source.
Alternative casual expressions
For everyday, informal speech you can use shorter or more colloquial phrases.
Se está filtrando agua
This means water is leaking or seeping and can describe leaks from under the sink or walls. Use when you see water forming but not necessarily drops.
Se está filtrando agua is versatile and slightly less specific than goteando.
Hay una gotera en el fregadero
Gotera usually refers to a leak that produces drops that fall, often used for roofs, but you can say it for sinks too.
Hay una gotera en el fregadero sounds natural when you hear or see repeated drops.
Polite ways to report a leak to a landlord or neighbor
When addressing someone with responsibility, use polite phrasing and include brief details about the problem.
Buenos días, el fregadero está goteando y necesito que lo reparen
Start with a greeting, describe the leak, and state you need it fixed. This is direct yet courteous.
Buenos días, el fregadero está goteando y necesito que lo reparen works well in written messages or calls.
Hola, hay una fuga debajo del fregadero. ¿Podrían enviar a un técnico?
This phrasing locates the leak and requests a technician politely.
Hola, hay una fuga debajo del fregadero. ¿Podrían enviar a un técnico? is suitable for emails or texts.
Perdón por la molestia, pero el grifo del lavabo no deja de gotear
Add a brief apology or softening phrase to sound considerate. This helps if you are calling a neighbor or building manager.
Perdón por la molestia, pero el grifo del lavabo no deja de gotear is polite and shows respect.
How to give more details about the leak
Supplying clear details helps the listener understand urgency and what to bring to repair the issue.
Useful details include where the water is coming from, how much water, and whether there is damage. Use phrases like:
Está goteando desde el grifo — the faucet is dripping.
Hay agua debajo del fregadero — there is water under the sink.
La tubería se ha roto — the pipe has broken.
Combine with urgency markers: mucho for a lot, poco for a little, constantemente for constantly, and de repente for suddenly.
Example full message:
Hay agua debajo del fregadero y está goteando constantemente; parece que la tubería se ha roto
This tells the recipient there is continuous leaking and suggests a broken pipe.
Hay agua debajo del fregadero y está goteando constantemente; parece que la tubería se ha roto is very informative for a repair request.
Short dialogues for practice
Below are short, realistic dialogues you might use when reporting or discussing a leak. They show natural phrasing and responses.
Dialogue 1 — Calling the landlord:
Inquilino: Hola, el fregadero está goteando. ¿Puede venir alguien hoy?
Casero: ¿De dónde gotea exactamente? ¿Debajo o del grifo?
Inquilino: Debajo, hay agua en el mueble.
Hola, el fregadero está goteando. ¿Puede venir alguien hoy?
¿De dónde gotea exactamente? ¿Debajo o del grifo?
Debajo, hay agua en el mueble.
Dialogue 2 — Calling a plumber:
Cliente: Buenos días, la tubería tiene una fuga y el grifo gotea.
Plomero: ¿Cuánto está goteando? ¿Es constante?
Cliente: Sí, es constante y hay agua debajo del fregadero.
Buenos días, la tubería tiene una fuga y el grifo gotea.
¿Cuánto está goteando? ¿Es constante?
Sí, es constante y hay agua debajo del fregadero.
Regional differences and usage notes
Words for sink and faucet vary by country. Choose the term that matches the region or the audience you’re speaking to. Quick guide:
Spain: prefer fregadero for kitchen sink and lavabo for bathroom sink.
Mexico and many Latin American countries: lavabo or tarja in some areas for kitchen sink; fregadero is understood but less common.
Central America and parts of South America: pileta or pila may be used.
For faucet, common words are grifo in Spain and many countries, llave in Mexico and Central America, and canilla in parts of South America.
Usage note: If you are unsure which regional term to use, stick with fregadero for kitchen sink, lavabo for bathroom sink, and grifo for faucet; these are widely understood.
How to describe severity and urgency
When reporting a leak, describe how serious it is so the other person can prioritize. Use these modifiers:
leve — slight, small. Useful for a few drops.
moderado — moderate. More noticeable dripping.
grave or serio — serious. For flooding or a broken pipe.
Examples:
Es una fuga leve, solo gotas de vez en cuando
Use this for a minor drip that can wait.
Es una fuga leve, solo gotas de vez en cuando
Es un problema serio; el agua está saliendo mucho
Use this if water flows heavily and immediate attention is needed.
Es un problema serio; el agua está saliendo mucho
Useful follow-up phrases
After reporting the leak, you might need to arrange access, ask about timing, or request an estimate. Useful phrases include:
¿Cuándo pueden venir? — When can you come?
¿Cuánto costaría arreglarlo? — How much would it cost to fix it?
Necesito que alguien venga hoy — I need someone to come today.
Puedo estar en casa a las 3 — I can be home at 3.
These help coordinate repairs and set expectations.
Conclusion
Reporting a leaking sink in Spanish is straightforward once you know key words like fregadero, lavabo, and goterear. Use short clear sentences for emergencies and polite, detailed messages for landlords or plumbers. Adjust vocabulary by region and include severity and location to get the fastest, most helpful response.
