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A2 noun #3,500 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

洗濯

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Erklärung 洗濯 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 洗濯 (sentaku) means 'laundry.' You will most commonly use it with the verb 'suru' (to do) as 洗濯します (sentaku shimasu). Think of it as a basic chore word. You might see it on buttons in a laundry room or hear a family member say it. It's one of the first 'life' words you learn because it's part of a daily routine. You should also recognize 洗濯機 (sentakuki), which is the machine that does the work. At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar; just remember 'sentaku = clothes washing.'

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At the A2 level, you should start using 洗濯 (sentaku) in more complete sentences. You can describe how often you do it (e.g., mai-nichi sentaku shimasu - I do laundry every day) or talk about the weather in relation to laundry. You should also understand the difference between the noun 洗濯 (the act) and 洗濯物 (sentakumono) (the physical clothes). This is the level where you learn to say you are hanging the laundry out to dry (sentakumono o hosu). You are moving from just knowing the word to using it to describe your life.

At the B1 level, you can handle more specific situations involving 洗濯 (sentaku). You can understand care labels on clothes, talk about different types of detergent, or explain why you can't do laundry today (e.g., because it's raining). You should be comfortable with potential forms like sentaku dekiru (can wash) and compound words like sentaku-basami (clothespins). You might also start noticing the 'Laundry Index' on the news. Your vocabulary is expanding to include the tools and the conditions surrounding the act of washing.

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At the B2 level, you can discuss the nuances of 洗濯 (sentaku) in a broader social or environmental context. You might talk about energy-saving washing machines, the environmental impact of detergents, or the cultural difference in how laundry is dried between Japan and other countries. You can use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'I had my laundry ruined by the rain' using the passive or causative forms. You understand the professional distinction between home laundry and dry cleaning (kurīningu) and can navigate service shops with ease.

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At the C1 level, you recognize 洗濯 (sentaku) in metaphorical or literary contexts. While it's primarily a practical word, it can appear in idioms or descriptions of 'washing away' the past or refreshing one's spirit (though other words like sentaku in 'inochi no sentaku' - a refreshing break - use different kanji but the same sound). You understand the historical evolution of how laundry was done in Japan and can discuss the socio-economic changes that came with the invention of the electric washing machine. You are a master of the technical vocabulary used in textile manufacturing and care.

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At the C2 level, your understanding of 洗濯 (sentaku) is near-native. You can appreciate puns, historical references, and the subtle social signals involved in laundry habits. You can read technical manuals for industrial laundry equipment or academic papers on the chemistry of detergents in Japanese. You understand the regional variations in laundry terminology and can discuss the philosophy of cleanliness in Japanese culture with depth. The word is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a deeply integrated part of your cultural and linguistic landscape.

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洗濯 in 30 Sekunden

洗濯 (sentaku) means 'laundry' or 'washing clothes' specifically.
It is a 'suru-verb' (洗濯する), making it the action of doing laundry.
Common compounds include 洗濯機 (washing machine) and 洗濯物 (laundry items).
In Japan, laundry is heavily weather-dependent and often dried outdoors.

The Japanese word 洗濯 (せんたく - sentaku) is a fundamental noun that translates to 'laundry' or 'washing clothes.' While it primarily functions as a noun, it is most frequently encountered in its verbalized form, 洗濯する (sentaku suru), which means 'to do laundry.' In the context of Japanese daily life, this word carries significant weight because laundry is often a daily chore due to the humid climate and the cultural emphasis on cleanliness and fresh attire. Understanding this word involves more than just knowing a verb; it involves understanding the rhythm of a Japanese household where the weather forecast is often checked specifically for its 'laundry index' (洗濯指数 - sentaku shisū).

Core Concept: At its heart, 洗濯 refers to the physical act of cleaning textiles using water and detergent. Unlike the English word 'wash,' which can apply to hands, cars, or dishes, 洗濯 is strictly reserved for clothing and fabrics. You would never use it to describe washing your face or your car.
Grammatical Versatility: It functions as a 'Suru-verb.' This means you can take the noun '洗濯' and add 'する' to make it an action. Furthermore, it often pairs with other nouns to create compound words like 洗濯機 (sentakuki) for 'washing machine' or 洗濯物 (sentakumono) for 'the laundry items themselves.'

今日は天気がいいので、洗濯をしましょう。
(Since the weather is good today, let's do the laundry.)

In Japanese society, the act of doing laundry is deeply tied to the seasons. During the rainy season (tsuyu), you will hear people lamenting that they cannot do their 洗濯 outside. Conversely, on a sunny day, you might hear the phrase 洗濯日和 (sentaku biyori), meaning 'perfect weather for laundry.' This highlights how the word is integrated into social small talk and environmental awareness.

そのシャツは洗濯機で洗えますか？
(Can that shirt be washed in a washing machine?)

Distinction from 'Cleaning': It is important to distinguish 洗濯 from クリーニング (kurīningu). While both involve cleaning clothes, kurīningu specifically refers to professional dry cleaning services. If you say you are going to do sentaku, people assume you are doing it at home or at a coin laundry.

週末にまとめて洗濯をします。
(I do all my laundry at once on the weekend.)

急な雨で洗濯物が濡れてしまった。
(The laundry got wet because of the sudden rain.)

In summary, 洗濯 is a word that anchors the Japanese daily routine. It represents cleanliness, order, and a connection to the environment. Whether you are talking about household chores, buying a new appliance, or complaining about the humidity, this word will be at the center of your conversation.

Using 洗濯 (sentaku) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese verb structures and common object-verb pairings. Since it is a noun that can become a verb, its placement in a sentence depends on whether you are treating it as the 'act' or the 'object.' This section explores the grammatical nuances that make your Japanese sound natural and fluid.

The 'Suru' Construction: The most common way to use this word is 洗濯する (sentaku suru). In this form, it acts as a transitive verb. You can say 服を洗濯する (fuku o sentaku suru) - 'to wash clothes.' However, in casual conversation, the object 'clothes' is often implied, so simply saying 洗濯した (sentaku shita) - 'I did the laundry' is perfectly acceptable.

昨日は忙しくて、洗濯する時間がありませんでした。
(I was busy yesterday and didn't have time to do laundry.)

The 'O Suru' Construction: Alternatively, you can use the particle 'wo' between the noun and suru: 洗濯をする (sentaku o suru). This slightly emphasizes the 'act' of laundry as a specific task or chore. It is often used when listing chores: 'I will do the cleaning, the laundry, and the cooking.'

母は朝早くから洗濯をしています。
(My mother has been doing the laundry since early morning.)

When modifying other nouns, 洗濯 often appears at the beginning of a compound. For example, 洗濯バサミ (sentaku-basami) means clothespins, and 洗濯板 (sentaku-ita) means washboard. These compounds are essential for navigating a Japanese home or hardware store.

このセーターは手で洗濯してください。
(Please wash this sweater by hand.)

Passive and Potential Forms: In more advanced contexts, you might use the potential form 洗濯できる (sentaku dekiru) to ask if an item is washable. Or the passive 洗濯される (sentaku sareru) when discussing how fabrics are treated during the manufacturing process.

この素材は家で洗濯できますか？
(Can this material be washed at home?)

洗濯が終わったら、ベランダに干してください。
(When the laundry is finished, please hang it on the balcony.)

Mastering these sentence patterns allows you to describe your daily life accurately. Whether you are asking for advice on fabric care or simply stating your plans for the morning, 洗濯 is a versatile tool in your Japanese linguistic toolkit.

The word 洗濯 (sentaku) is omnipresent in Japanese life, echoing through various environments from the private home to public broadcasts. Because laundry is such a constant necessity, you will encounter this word in contexts you might not expect in English-speaking countries. Here is where the word truly lives in the Japanese language.

The Home and Family Life: In a Japanese household, sentaku is a frequent topic of conversation. Family members might ask, 'Sentaku mono dashita?' (Did you put out your laundry?), referring to putting dirty clothes in the hamper. It is the language of shared responsibility and daily rhythm.

明日の朝、洗濯機を回しておいてくれる？
(Could you run the washing machine tomorrow morning?)

Weather Forecasts and News: This is perhaps the most unique place you will hear the word. Japanese weather presenters often include a 洗濯指数 (sentaku shisū) or 'Laundry Index.' They will say things like 'Today's laundry index is 100, so it's a great day to wash large items like blankets.' Hearing sentaku on the news is a common occurrence.

明日は雨なので、洗濯指数が低いです。
(Since it will rain tomorrow, the laundry index is low.)

In public spaces, you will see コインランドリー (koin randorī) or coin laundries. The signs inside these shops will use sentaku to describe the different cycles of the machines. You might see 洗濯・乾燥 (sentaku/kansō), meaning 'Wash & Dry.'

このコインランドリーは、大型の洗濯も可能です。
(This coin laundry is also capable of doing large-sized laundry.)

In Clothing Stores and Care Labels: When you buy clothes in Japan, the care instructions (洗濯表示 - sentaku hyōji) are vital. Shop assistants might explain, 'This fabric is delicate, so please be careful when doing sentaku.' You will hear it used as a general term for garment care.

洗濯表示をよく確認してから洗ってください。
(Please check the laundry symbols carefully before washing.)

夜遅くに洗濯機を使うのは控えてください。
(Please refrain from using the washing machine late at night.)

From the hum of the machine at home to the detailed instructions on a shirt tag, 洗濯 is a word that guides how Japanese people care for their belongings and respect their environment. Listening for it will give you a window into the practicalities of Japanese life.

Learning 洗濯 (sentaku) seems straightforward, but English speakers often fall into a few specific traps. Because the English word 'wash' is so broad, it's easy to over-apply sentaku to situations where it doesn't belong. Let's look at the most common errors to ensure your Japanese sounds natural.

Mistake 1: The 'Wash Everything' Fallacy: In English, you wash your hands, wash the car, wash the dishes, and wash your clothes. In Japanese, 洗濯 is ONLY for clothes and fabrics. For almost everything else, the verb is 洗う (arau). Saying 'Te o sentaku suru' (doing laundry on your hands) would be nonsensical and quite funny to a native speaker.

❌ 皿を洗濯します。
✅ 皿を洗います。
(I will wash the dishes.)

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Laundry' (the task) with 'Laundry' (the items): In English, we say 'The laundry is wet.' Here, 'laundry' refers to the clothes. In Japanese, if you say 'Sentaku ga nureta,' it sounds like the concept of washing got wet. You must use 洗濯物 (sentakumono) when referring to the physical pile of clothes.

❌ 洗濯を畳んでください。
✅ 洗濯物を畳んでください。
(Please fold the laundry items.)

Another nuance is the timing. Sentaku implies the whole process. If you are specifically talking about the machine doing the work, you might use the verb 回す (mawasu - to turn/rotate) as in 'Sentakuki o mawasu.' Using sentaku suru is more about the human chore.

❌ クリーニングを洗濯する。
✅ クリーニングに出す。
(I will take it to the dry cleaners.)

Mistake 3: Overlooking 'Sentaku-mono': Beginners often forget to add 'mono' (thing/object). If you are carrying a basket of clothes, those are sentakumono. If you are doing the action, that is sentaku. Mixing these up is a sign of a learner, but using sentakumono correctly immediately boosts your fluency level.

❌ 外に洗濯があります。
✅ 外に洗濯物があります。
(The laundry is outside.)

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the 'clothes-only' rule—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and communicate your household needs or routines like a pro.

While 洗濯 (sentaku) is the standard term for laundry, Japanese offers several related words that describe different aspects of cleaning clothes. Choosing the right one depends on the method, the location, and the level of formality. Understanding these alternatives will help you navigate everything from a home kitchen to a high-end department store.

洗う (Arau) vs. 洗濯 (Sentaku): 洗う (arau) is the general verb for 'to wash.' You use it for hands, face, dishes, and cars. While you can use it for clothes (e.g., fuku o arau), sentaku is much more specific to the 'laundry process.' If you use arau, you are focusing on the physical scrubbing; if you use sentaku, you are talking about the household task.
クリーニング (Kurīningu): Borrowed from English 'cleaning,' this specifically refers to professional dry cleaning. You wouldn't use sentaku for a suit that needs professional care. You 'put it out' for kurīningu (kurīningu ni dasu).

このコートは洗濯ではなく、クリーニングに出してください。
(Please take this coat to the dry cleaners, don't wash it at home.)

水洗い (Mizuarai): Literally 'water wash.' This is used on care labels to indicate that an item can be washed with water (as opposed to dry cleaning). It is a technical term you will see in stores more than you will hear it in casual conversation.
手洗い (Tearai): Meaning 'hand wash.' While it can also mean 'restroom' (as a euphemism for washing hands), in the context of laundry, it refers to washing delicate items by hand. Many Japanese washing machines have a tearai cycle for delicates.

シルクのブラウスは、洗濯機を使わず手洗いをします。
(I wash silk blouses by hand without using the washing machine.)

Another interesting term is 部屋干し (heyaboshi), which means 'drying clothes indoors.' This is a specific type of sentaku-related activity that occurs during the rainy season. There are even special detergents designed specifically for heyaboshi to prevent that damp smell.

雨の日は、洗濯物を部屋干しにします。
(On rainy days, I dry my laundry indoors.)

By knowing these distinctions, you can be more precise. Are you doing a general wash (arau)? Are you doing the household laundry (sentaku)? Or are you dealing with a professional service (kurīningu)? Each word has its place in the clean and organized world of Japanese textile care.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The second kanji '濯' is rarely seen outside of the word 'sentaku.' It contains the water radical on the left and a phonetic component representing 'to wash' or 'bright' on the right.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /sen.ta.ku/

US /sen.tɑ.ku/

Flat pitch (Heiban) in most dialects, meaning there is no significant rise or fall on a specific syllable.

Reimt sich auf

Kenkaku (剣客) Tenkaku (転格) Henkaku (変革) Renkaku (連郭) Genkaku (厳格) Senkaku (尖閣) Menkaku (面角) Zenkaku (全角)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it as 'setaku' (missing the 'n').
Elongating the final 'u' into 'sentakū'.
Confusing the pitch with 'sentaku' (choice/selection), though they are often both Heiban.
Pronouncing 'ta' like 'the'.
Adding a heavy English 'r' sound to the 'n'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

The first kanji is easy, but the second one (濯) is complex for beginners.

Schreiben 4/5

Writing '濯' correctly requires attention to many small strokes.

Sprechen 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward with no difficult sounds.

Hören 2/5

It is a very common word, easily recognized in context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

洗う (To wash) 服 (Clothes) 水 (Water) する (To do) 物 (Thing)

Als Nächstes lernen

乾く (To dry) 干す (To hang) 洗剤 (Detergent) 畳む (To fold) クリーニング (Dry cleaning)

Fortgeschritten

界面活性剤 (Surfactant) 繊維 (Fiber) 漂白剤 (Bleach) 脱水機 (Spin dryer) 煮沸消毒 (Boiling disinfection)

Wichtige Grammatik

Suru-verbs

洗濯する、掃除する、料理する。

Nominalization with 'No'

洗濯をするのは面倒だ。

Potential Form of Suru

この服は家で洗濯できる。

Sequence with 'Te Kara'

洗濯をしてから出かけます。

Noun Compounds

洗濯機、洗濯物、洗濯板。

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Beispiele nach Niveau

洗濯をします。

I do laundry.

Basic noun + suru verb.

これは洗濯機です。

This is a washing machine.

Identification using 'desu'.

洗濯は月曜日です。

Laundry is on Monday.

Topic marker 'wa' with a day of the week.

服を洗濯します。

I wash clothes.

Direct object 'fuku' with 'o'.

洗濯が好きです。

I like doing laundry.

Expressing preference with 'suki'.

洗濯が終わりました。

The laundry is finished.

Subject 'ga' with intransitive 'owaru'.

洗濯物を入れます。

I put the laundry in.

Using 'sentakumono' for the items.

明日、洗濯しますか？

Will you do laundry tomorrow?

Question form with 'ka'.

天気がいいので、洗濯しましょう。

The weather is good, so let's do laundry.

Reason 'node' followed by 'mashō' (let's).

洗濯物を外に干しました。

I hung the laundry outside.

Verb 'hosu' (to hang/dry).

毎日洗濯をするのは大変です。

Doing laundry every day is hard.

Nominalizing the verb phrase with 'no wa'.

洗濯機が壊れてしまいました。

The washing machine broke down (unfortunately).

Regret/completion form 'te shimau'.

洗濯物はどこにありますか？

Where is the laundry?

Asking for location.

この洗剤で洗濯してください。

Please do the laundry with this detergent.

Instrumental 'de' with 'kudasai'.

洗濯が終わったら教えてください。

Please let me know when the laundry is finished.

Conditional 'tara' (when/if).

週末にまとめて洗濯をします。

I do all the laundry at once on the weekend.

Adverbial 'matomete' (all together).

雨が降りそうなので、洗濯物を部屋に入れます。

It looks like it's going to rain, so I'll bring the laundry inside.

Appearance 'sō' (looks like).

洗濯物の乾きが遅いです。

The laundry is slow to dry.

Noun form of 'kawaku' (dryness).

このセーターは家で洗濯できますか？

Can this sweater be washed at home?

Potential form 'dekiru'.

洗濯バサミが足りません。

I don't have enough clothespins.

Compound word 'sentaku-basami'.

今日は洗濯日和ですね。

Today is a perfect day for laundry, isn't it?

Idiomatic compound 'sentaku-biyori'.

洗濯物を畳むのが苦手です。

I'm not good at folding laundry.

Expressing lack of skill with 'nigate'.

洗濯表示をチェックしてから洗います。

I wash it after checking the laundry symbols.

Sequence 'te kara' (after doing).

夜中に洗濯機を回すと近所迷惑です。

Running the washing machine in the middle of the night is a nuisance to neighbors.

Conditional 'to' (if/when) expressing a general truth.

最近の洗濯機は節水機能が優れています。

Recent washing machines have excellent water-saving features.

Noun modification and 'sugurete iru' (is excellent).

部屋干し専用の洗剤を使うと、臭いが気になりません。

If you use detergent specifically for indoor drying, you won't notice the smell.

Specific use 'sen-yō' (exclusive use).

洗濯物を溜め込みすぎて、干す場所がなくなった。

I let the laundry pile up too much and ran out of space to hang it.

Excessive action 'sugiru'.

デリケートな素材は、ネットに入れて洗濯してください。

Please put delicate materials in a mesh bag before washing.

Te-form for instructions.

コインランドリーで大きな毛布を洗濯しました。

I washed a large blanket at the coin laundry.

Location 'de'.

洗濯機の中に小銭を入れっぱなしにしていた。

I left some coins in the washing machine.

Leaving something in a state 'ppanashi'.

柔軟剤を使うと、洗濯物がふんわり仕上がります。

Using fabric softener makes the laundry finish up fluffy.

Adverb 'funwari' (fluffy) and 'shiagaru' (to finish up).

洗濯の仕方を母に教わりました。

I was taught how to do laundry by my mother.

Passive-like 'osowaru' (to be taught/to learn).

このシャツは、何度洗濯しても型崩れしません。

This shirt doesn't lose its shape no matter how many times you wash it.

Concessive 'te mo' (even if/no matter how).

洗濯機による衣類の傷みを最小限に抑える技術。

Technology that minimizes damage to clothing caused by washing machines.

Compound 'ni yoru' (due to/caused by).

彼は週末、命の洗濯と言って温泉に出かけた。

He went to a hot spring over the weekend, calling it a 'refreshment for the soul'.

Idiom 'inochi no sentaku' (though usually written with different kanji, the pun is often made).

全自動洗濯機のおかげで、家事の負担が劇的に減った。

Thanks to fully automatic washing machines, the burden of housework has decreased dramatically.

Benefactive 'okage de' (thanks to).

洗濯板を使っていた時代に比べれば、今は天国だ。

Compared to the era of using washboards, now is like heaven.

Comparison 'ni kurabereba'.

色落ちを防ぐため、色の濃いものは分けて洗濯する。

To prevent color fading, wash dark-colored items separately.

Purpose 'tame'.

洗濯の効率化を図るために、新しい乾燥機を導入した。

In order to improve laundry efficiency, I introduced a new dryer.

Planning/aiming for 'o hakaru'.

汚れがひどい場合は、予洗いをしてから洗濯機に入れる。

If the stains are bad, pre-wash before putting them in the machine.

Pre-wash 'yo-arai'.

洗濯という日常的な行為の中に、日本人の清潔観が反映されている。

The Japanese sense of cleanliness is reflected in the mundane act of laundry.

Reflected 'han-ei sareru'.

近代化に伴い、共同洗濯場という社交の場が失われていった。

With modernization, the communal laundry areas, which served as social hubs, were lost.

Accompanying change 'ni tomonai'.

洗濯物の干し方一つにも、その人の几帳面さが表れるものだ。

Even in the way one hangs laundry, their meticulousness is revealed.

Emphasis 'hitotsu ni mo'.

洗剤の界面活性剤が環境に与える影響を考慮した洗濯法。

A washing method that considers the impact of detergent surfactants on the environment.

Considering 'o kōryo shita'.

古来、川での洗濯は女性たちの情報交換の場であった。

Since ancient times, washing in the river was a place for women to exchange information.

Since ancient times 'korai'.

洗濯機という文明の利器が、女性の社会進出に寄与した側面は大きい。

The aspect that washing machines, a convenience of civilization, contributed to women's social advancement is significant.

Contribution 'ni kiyo shita'.

繊維の構造を理解すれば、より適切な洗濯が可能になる。

If you understand the structure of fibers, more appropriate laundering becomes possible.

Conditional 'ba'.

洗濯は単なる家事ではなく、生活を整える儀式のようなものだ。

Laundry is not just a chore, but something like a ritual that organizes one's life.

Not merely 'tannaru' ... but 'nō yō na mono'.

Häufige Kollokationen

洗濯をする

洗濯を回す

洗濯を干す

洗濯が乾く

洗濯物を畳む

洗濯機に入れる

洗濯バサミで止める

洗濯ネットを使う

洗濯指数をチェックする

洗濯の山

Häufige Phrasen

洗濯日和

— A perfect day for laundry. Used when the sky is clear and the humidity is low.

今日は最高の洗濯日和だね。

部屋干し

— Drying laundry indoors. Common during the rainy season or in winter.

雨だから今日は部屋干しにする。

洗濯板

— A washboard. Now mostly historical or used for specific hard stains.

昔は洗濯板で洗っていた。

洗濯ネット

— Laundry mesh bag. Used to protect delicate items in the machine.

ブラウスを洗濯ネットに入れる。

洗濯指数

— Laundry index. A weather forecast metric for how well laundry will dry.

今日の洗濯指数は80です。

洗濯表示

— Laundry care labels/symbols found on clothing tags.

洗濯表示を確認してください。

生乾き

— Half-dried laundry. Usually implies a damp, unpleasant smell.

洗濯物が生乾きで臭う。

まとめ洗い

— Doing a large batch of laundry all at once.

週末にまとめ洗いをする。

外干し

— Drying laundry outside. The opposite of heyaboshi.

天気がいいから外干しができる。

洗濯カゴ

— Laundry basket.

洗濯カゴが一杯になった。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

洗濯 vs 選択 (Sentaku)

Means 'choice' or 'selection.' It has the same pronunciation but different Kanji.

洗濯 vs 洗う (Arau)

General verb for washing. Sentaku is only for clothes.

洗濯 vs 掃除 (Sōji)

Means 'cleaning' (a room/floor). Do not use for clothes.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"命の洗濯"

— To refresh one's life/soul. Often used for taking a relaxing trip or a hot spring bath. (Note: Usually written 命の洗濯).

たまには温泉にでも行って、命の洗濯をしてこよう。

Idiomatic/Casual

"洗濯板のような胸"

— A slang/rude way to describe someone with a very flat chest (like a washboard).

失礼な冗談として使われることがある。

Slang/Offensive

"心を洗濯する"

— To cleanse one's heart/mind. To start fresh after a bad experience.

旅に出て、汚れた心を洗濯したい。

Literary

"洗濯を回す"

— Literally 'to rotate the laundry,' meaning to start the washing machine.

出かける前に洗濯を回しておこう。

Casual

"洗濯物が溜まる"

— Laundry is piling up. Used to describe a busy or lazy state.

忙しくて洗濯物が溜まってしまった。

Daily Life

"洗濯物に当たる"

— To take one's anger out on the laundry (metaphorically, by washing aggressively or throwing it).

イライラして洗濯物に当たってしまった。

Casual

"洗濯機にかける"

— To put something through the washing machine.

この靴は洗濯機にかけても大丈夫かな？

Neutral

"洗濯の鬼"

— Someone who is obsessed with doing laundry perfectly.

母は洗濯の鬼で、少しの汚れも許さない。

Casual/Hyperbole

"洗濯物が泣いている"

— Personification used when laundry is left in the rain or neglected.

雨が降ってきたよ、洗濯物が泣いている！

Playful

"洗濯し直す"

— To re-wash something. Often used when clothes smell bad after drying poorly.

臭いが取れないから洗濯し直す。

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

洗濯 vs 洗う

Both mean 'wash'.

Arau is general (hands, car); Sentaku is specific to clothes/textiles.

手を洗う (Wash hands) vs 洗濯する (Do laundry).

洗濯 vs クリーニング

Both involve cleaning clothes.

Sentaku is home washing; Kuriningu is professional dry cleaning.

家で洗濯する vs クリーニング屋に行く。

洗濯 vs 濯ぐ (Yusugu/Susugu)

It's the second part of 'sentaku'.

Yusugu is just the 'rinse' part of the process.

洗剤をよく濯ぐ (Rinse off the detergent well).

洗濯 vs 手洗い

Can mean washing hands or hand-washing clothes.

Context determines if it's a hygiene act or a laundry method.

帰宅後の手洗い (Washing hands after coming home) vs セーターの手洗い (Hand-washing a sweater).

洗濯 vs 水洗い

Sounds like sentaku.

Technical term for 'water-washable' vs 'dry-clean only'.

水洗いができる素材。

Satzmuster

[Time]に洗濯をします。

日曜日に洗濯をします。

[Reason]ので、洗濯します。

天気がいいので、洗濯します。

[Item]を洗濯機に入れる。

タオルを洗濯機に入れる。

洗濯物を[Location]に干す。

洗濯物をベランダに干す。

洗濯機を[Verb]っぱなしにする。

洗濯機を回しっぱなしにする。

[Item]は洗濯機で洗える。

このズボンは洗濯機で洗える。

洗濯の効率を上げるために[Action]。

洗濯の効率を上げるために、新しい洗剤を買った。

洗濯という行為を通じて[Observation]。

洗濯という行為を通じて、季節の移り変わりを感じる。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

洗濯機 (Washing machine)

洗濯物 (Laundry items)

洗濯屋 (Laundry shop/Laundryman)

洗濯板 (Washboard)

洗濯バサミ (Clothespin)

Verben

洗濯する (To do laundry)

洗い落とす (To wash out stains)

濯ぐ (To rinse - the second kanji source)

Verwandt

洗剤 (Detergent)

柔軟剤 (Fabric softener)

乾燥 (Drying)

漂白 (Bleaching)

脱水 (Spin-drying/Dehydration)

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frequency

Extremely high in daily life and weather contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'sentaku' for dishes. → 皿を洗う (Sara o arau).
Sentaku is strictly for clothes and fabrics. Arau is for dishes.
Saying 'sentaku ga nureta' for wet clothes. → 洗濯物が濡れた (Sentakumono ga nureta).
You must use 'mono' to refer to the physical clothes.
Using 'sentaku' for a suit that needs dry cleaning. → クリーニングに出す (Kurīningu ni dasu).
Sentaku implies water washing at home. Suits need professional 'kurīningu'.
Confusing 'sentaku' (laundry) with 'sōji' (cleaning a room). → 部屋を掃除する (Heya o sōji suru).
Sōji is for spaces/objects; sentaku is for clothes.
Missing the 'n' sound (saying 'setaku'). → 洗濯 (Sentaku).
The 'n' (ん) is a full syllable and must be pronounced.

Tipps

Using 'Suru' correctly

Remember that '洗濯' is a noun. To make it an action, always add 'する' (suru) or 'します' (shimasu).

The 'Mono' distinction

If you are pointing at a pile of clothes, say 'sentakumono'. If you are talking about the chore, say 'sentaku'.

Check the weather

In Japan, everyone checks the weather before doing laundry. Learn the phrase 'sentaku-biyori' to sound like a local.

Don't fear the 'Taku'

The kanji 濯 looks scary, but you only ever see it in 'sentaku'. Just learn it as part of this one word.

Noise awareness

If you live in a Japanese apartment, avoid doing laundry early in the morning or late at night.

Laundry Nets

Buy 'sentaku netto' at a 100-yen shop. Japanese people use them for almost everything to prevent damage.

Rainy Season

During 'Tsuyu' (rainy season), look for 'heyaboshi' detergent to prevent your clothes from smelling damp.

Sharing machines

In shared housing, always remove your laundry promptly once the cycle finishes.

Bath water

Many Japanese washing machines have a hose to reuse clean bath water for the initial wash to save water.

Soul Cleaning

Use 'inochi no sentaku' when you go on a vacation to show you are refreshing your spirit.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a **SEN**t (cent) falling into a **TA**nk of **KU**-l (cool) water while you do laundry.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a bright sun (洗濯日和) shining over a balcony where white sheets are flapping in the wind.

Word Web

Sentakuki Sentakumono Senzai Hosu Heyaboshi Sentaku-basami Kawaita Sento

Herausforderung

Try to label your washing machine '洗濯機' and your laundry basket '洗濯物' for one week.

Wortherkunft

Derived from Middle Chinese. '洗' (sen) means to wash or clean with water. '濯' (taku) means to rinse or dip in water to clean. Together, they represent the full cycle of cleaning fabric.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To wash and rinse textiles.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Kultureller Kontext

Be mindful of noise etiquette in Japanese apartments; doing 'sentaku' after 9 PM or before 7 AM is often considered rude.

In the US/UK, dryers are common. In Japan, they are less so, making 'hanging to dry' a central part of the 'sentaku' concept.

The movie 'Laundry' (2002) starring Yōsuke Kubozuka. The children's song 'Sentaku no Uta'. The 'Laundry' level in many Japanese slice-of-life anime.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At Home

洗濯機を回す
洗濯物を干す
洗濯物を畳む
洗濯物が溜まる

Weather Forecast

洗濯指数
洗濯日和
部屋干し推奨
外干し可能

Shopping for Clothes

洗濯表示
家で洗濯できる
手洗いのみ
色落ち注意

Coin Laundry

洗濯・乾燥コース
大型洗濯機
洗剤自動投入
洗濯が終わる時間

Hotel Services

ランドリーバッグ
翌日仕上がり
洗濯代行
特急仕上げ

Gesprächseinstiege

"今日は天気がいいから、洗濯日和だね。"

"週末はいつも何回洗濯機を回す？"

"洗濯物を畳むの、好き？それとも嫌い？"

"最近の洗濯機は、乾燥までやってくれるから便利だよね。"

"雨の日、洗濯物はどこに干してる？"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日は洗濯をしましたか？何回回しましたか？

あなたが一番嫌いな家事は何ですか？洗濯は入りますか？

新しい洗濯機を買うなら、どんな機能が欲しいですか？

子供の頃、洗濯の手伝いをした思い出はありますか？

洗濯物が太陽の匂いがするとき、どう感じますか？

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'sentaku' is only for clothes. For a car, use 'kuruma o arau' (洗う).

'Sentaku' is the act of washing. 'Sentakumono' refers to the actual items of clothing being washed.

Generally, it is considered rude to run a washing machine after 9 or 10 PM in apartments due to noise.

It is 'sentakuki' (洗濯機). Note the 'ki' at the end means machine.

It means 'perfect laundry weather'—usually a sunny, dry day.

Many modern machines have a drying function, but air-drying outside is still the most common and preferred method.

It refers to drying laundry inside the house, often done when it's raining.

You use the verb 'hosu' (干す), as in 'sentakumono o hosu'.

It is the 'Laundry Index,' a scale from 1-100 indicating how well clothes will dry that day.

Yes, but it uses different Kanji (選択). The pronunciation is the same, so check the context!

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