Signification
To wash dirty plates, cups, and cutlery.
Contexte culturel
In many German households, there is a specific order: wash glasses first, then cutlery, then plates, and finally pots. This keeps the water cleaner for longer. In Austria, you might hear 'den Aufwasch machen' instead of 'Abwasch'. The meaning is identical, but the prefix 'auf-' is preferred in some regions. Swiss German speakers often use 'abwäsche' or 'gschirre'. The phrase 'den Abwasch machen' is understood but might sound a bit like 'High German' from Germany. The 'Abwasch' is the most common reason for 'WG-Stress'. Many flats have a 'Spülplan' (washing plan) on the fridge to avoid arguments.
The 'Spülmaschine' shortcut
If you have a dishwasher, you don't 'machen den Abwasch'. You 'räumen die Spülmaschine ein' (load) or 'aus' (unload).
Gender matters
Always remember 'Abwasch' is masculine. Using 'die' or 'das' is a very common beginner mistake.
Signification
To wash dirty plates, cups, and cutlery.
The 'Spülmaschine' shortcut
If you have a dishwasher, you don't 'machen den Abwasch'. You 'räumen die Spülmaschine ein' (load) or 'aus' (unload).
Gender matters
Always remember 'Abwasch' is masculine. Using 'die' or 'das' is a very common beginner mistake.
Politeness
Offering to help with the 'Abwasch' is a great way to show you are a good guest in Germany.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct article and noun.
Ich habe heute keine Lust, ______ ______ zu machen.
'Abwasch' is masculine, and in this sentence, it is the direct object (accusative), so 'der' becomes 'den'.
Which verb is the most natural partner for 'Abwasch'?
Morgen ______ wir den Abwasch zusammen.
'Den Abwasch machen' is a fixed collocation in German.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wer hat gestern den Abwasch gemacht? B: ______ ______ ______ ______.
Since 'Abwasch' is masculine, the pronoun must be 'ihn'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a friend's house after dinner and want to be polite.
This is the standard polite offer to help with dishes.
Match the German phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these household chores.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesIch habe heute keine Lust, ______ ______ zu machen.
'Abwasch' is masculine, and in this sentence, it is the direct object (accusative), so 'der' becomes 'den'.
Morgen ______ wir den Abwasch zusammen.
'Den Abwasch machen' is a fixed collocation in German.
A: Wer hat gestern den Abwasch gemacht? B: ______ ______ ______ ______.
Since 'Abwasch' is masculine, the pronoun must be 'ihn'.
You are at a friend's house after dinner and want to be polite.
This is the standard polite offer to help with dishes.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these household chores.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes! 'Abwaschen' is the verb form and is just as common as 'den Abwasch machen'.
No, it includes everything: cutlery, glasses, pots, and pans.
Because it's the direct object of the verb 'machen', which requires the accusative case.
Many do, especially for items that shouldn't go in the dishwasher, or in small apartments without space for a machine.
Expressions liées
abtrocknen
similarTo dry the dishes
die Spülmaschine ausräumen
specialized formTo empty the dishwasher
klarspülen
specialized formTo rinse with clear water
{das|n} Schmutzgeschirr
similarDirty dishes
