At the A1 level, you learn '洗濯します' (sentaku shimasu) as a basic daily routine verb. You should focus on the simple present and past forms. You learn that it means 'to do laundry' and is used for clothes. You might use it in simple sentences like 'I do laundry on Sundays' or 'I did laundry yesterday.' The focus is on recognizing the word and using it with the particle 'o'. You don't need to worry about complex kanji yet, but you should recognize the sound and the 'suru' verb structure. It's one of the first 50 verbs most students learn because it's essential for describing your life at home.
At the A2 level, you begin to use '洗濯します' in more descriptive ways. You learn to connect it with reasons, such as 'It's sunny, so I will do laundry' (Hareta kara, sentaku shimasu). You also start using the '~te' form to combine it with other actions, like 'I will do laundry and then go to the supermarket' (Sentaku shite kara, suupaa ni ikimasu). You should be able to ask others about their laundry habits and understand simple instructions or signs at a laundromat. You also start to learn the noun 'sentakuki' (washing machine) and 'sentaku-mono' (the laundry items themselves).
At the B1 level, you move beyond the basic action and start discussing the nuances of laundry. You can talk about the frequency and specific methods, such as 'hand-washing' (tearai) or 'drying indoors' (heyaboshi). You can understand weather reports that mention the 'laundry index.' You also start using more complex grammar like 'while doing laundry' (sentaku shinagara) or 'it's easy to wash' (sentakuしやすい). You can handle more complex social situations, like asking a landlord where to hang laundry or explaining to a dry cleaner that a specific stain needs attention. Your vocabulary expands to include detergents (senzai) and fabric softeners (juunanzai).
At the B2 level, you can discuss '洗濯します' in the context of social and environmental issues. You might talk about the environmental impact of detergents, the efficiency of modern Japanese washing machines, or the cultural significance of hanging laundry outside versus using a dryer. You can understand more technical terms found on clothing care labels and explain them to others. You are comfortable using various levels of politeness, from very casual 'sentaku shitoite' (do the laundry for me) to more formal 'sentaku o itashimasu.' You can also understand idiomatic or metaphorical uses of related terms in literature or news.
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's cultural nuances. You can discuss the history of how laundry was done in Japan (like 'taraigo' - washing tubs) and how it has changed over time. You can read and understand complex articles about the textile industry or the chemistry of stain removal. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'sentaku,' 'arau,' and 'shoushuu' (deodorizing). You can use the word in professional contexts, such as discussing laundry management in the hospitality industry or the technical specifications of industrial washing equipment. You can also appreciate the word's use in poetry or advanced literature where it might symbolize purification.
At the C2 level, you possess native-like mastery. You can engage in highly technical or philosophical discussions involving the concept of 'washing.' You understand the etymology of the kanji in '洗濯' and can discuss historical texts that mention laundering. You can effortlessly switch between dialects or highly specialized registers (like the language used in the dry cleaning industry). You can interpret the deepest metaphors of 'washing away' sins or past mistakes in a literary context. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, and you can explain the most subtle nuances of the word to others, including its regional variations across Japan.

洗濯します en 30 secondes

  • Sentaku shimasu means 'to do laundry' and is a core daily verb.
  • It is a Group 3 suru-verb used specifically for clothes and fabrics.
  • It is different from 'araimasu', which is used for washing hands or dishes.
  • Cultural context includes air-drying and checking the 'laundry index' in Japan.

The Japanese verb 洗濯します (sentaku shimasu) is a compound verb consisting of the noun 洗濯 (sentaku), meaning 'laundry' or 'washing,' and the auxiliary verb します (shimasu), meaning 'to do.' In its most literal sense, it translates to 'doing the laundry.' However, the cultural and linguistic weight of this term extends far beyond the simple act of putting clothes into a machine. In Japan, the process of washing clothes is deeply tied to the concept of cleanliness and social presentation. The kanji represents 'washing' or 'cleansing with water,' while specifically refers to 'rinsing' or 'laundering.' Together, they form a comprehensive term for the entire cycle of cleaning textiles.

Core Concept
The systematic cleaning of clothing, bedding, and other fabrics using water and detergent.
Grammatical Category
Suru-verb (Group 3 Irregular). It follows the conjugation patterns of 'shimasu'.
Semantic Range
Includes sorting, washing, rinsing, and often implies the subsequent drying process.

毎日、仕事の前に洗濯します。 (I do the laundry every day before work.)

— Typical daily routine usage

In a broader context, the word reflects the meticulous nature of Japanese household management. Because Japan has high humidity, especially during the rainy season (tsuyu), the timing of when you sentaku shimasu is a frequent topic of conversation and weather reports. People often check the 'Sentaku Shisu' (Laundry Index) on the morning news to see if it's a good day to hang clothes outside. This cultural habit of air-drying clothes, even in modern urban apartments, makes the verb feel more active and weather-dependent than in cultures where electric dryers are the default.

今日は天気がいいから、たくさん洗濯しましょう。 (Since the weather is nice today, let's do a lot of laundry.)

Politeness Level
'Shimasu' is the polite (teineigo) form, suitable for most social interactions, workplace talk, and general conversation.
Casual Form
'Sentaku suru' (洗濯する) is used with friends and family.

Ultimately, 洗濯します is a foundational verb for anyone living in or visiting Japan. It appears in textbooks early on because it is an essential part of 'seikatsu' (daily life). Whether you are asking a hotel about their services or discussing chores with a roommate, this verb is your primary tool for discussing fabric care.

Using 洗濯します correctly involves understanding its role as a 'suru' verb. This means the noun 'sentaku' is the action, and 'shimasu' provides the tense and politeness. It is typically used with the object marker を (o), although in casual speech, the 'o' is often omitted. You can say fuku o sentaku shimasu (I wash clothes) or simply sentaku shimasu (I do laundry/washing).

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

When you want to specify what you are washing, the object comes before the particle 'o'. Common objects include 服 (fuku - clothes), タオル (taoru - towels), or シーツ (shiitsu - sheets). If you are using a washing machine, you might say sentakuki de sentaku shimasu (I wash using a washing machine). The particle で (de) indicates the tool or method.

Tense Conjugation
Present: 洗濯します (sentaku shimasu)
Past: 洗濯しました (sentaku shimashita)
Negative: 洗濯しません (sentaku shimasen)
Past Negative: 洗濯しませんでした (sentaku shimasen deshita)

In terms of frequency, you can modify the verb with adverbs like 毎日 (mainichi - every day), よく (yoku - often), or たまに (tamani - occasionally). For example, Mainichi sentaku shimasu ka? (Do you do laundry every day?). This is a common small-talk question when discussing household habits.

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

— Using the continuous ~te iru form

When you are at a laundromat (coin laundry), you would use the same verb. Koin randorii de sentaku shimasu. The verb covers the whole process of the machine running. If you want to talk about the act of hanging the clothes to dry, you use a different verb: 干します (hoshimasu). However, 'sentaku shimasu' is often used as a catch-all for the entire chore.

You will encounter 洗濯します in a variety of everyday settings in Japan. From household conversations to commercial environments, it is a ubiquitous term. One of the most common places is within the family home. Parents might tell children, Sentaku-mono o dashite! (Bring out your laundry!), referring to the items to be washed.

「明日、洗濯する?」 「うん、晴れたらね。」 (Are you doing laundry tomorrow? Yeah, if it's sunny.)

In the media, specifically weather forecasts, the term is used constantly. Japanese weather reports often include a 'Laundry Index' (洗濯指数 - sentaku shisuu). The announcer will say things like, Kyo wa sentaku-biyori desu (Today is a perfect day for laundry), or Sentaku-mono wa heya-boshi ga ii deshou (It's probably better to dry laundry indoors). This highlights how weather-dependent the act of sentaku is in Japan.

At the Hotel
Asking the front desk: 'Sentaku o onegai dekimasu ka?' (Can I request laundry service?)
At the Laundromat
Signs saying: 'Koko de kutsu o sentaku shinaide kudasai' (Please do not wash shoes here).

In literature and anime, 'sentaku' often appears in 'slice of life' scenes to establish a sense of normalcy or routine. Seeing a character hanging laundry on a balcony is a visual shorthand for a peaceful, ordinary day. If a character says Sentaku shinakucha (I have to do laundry), it often implies they are getting their life back in order or preparing for a new start.

新しい洗剤で洗濯したら、いい匂いがします。 (After washing with the new detergent, it smells nice.)

Finally, in professional settings like dry cleaners (kuriningu-ya), you might hear more technical variations, but 'sentaku' remains the base term for the general public. If you are staying in a 'minshuku' (guest house), the host might show you the machine and say, Go-jiyu ni sentaku shite kudasai (Please feel free to do your laundry).

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 洗濯します for things that aren't clothes. In English, we 'wash' our hands, 'wash' the car, and 'wash' the laundry. In Japanese, these are distinct actions. If you say te o sentaku shimasu, it sounds like you are trying to put your hands through a washing machine cycle!

Wrong Usage
❌ 皿を洗濯します (Sara o sentaku shimasu) - Washing dishes.
✅ 皿を洗います (Sara o araimasu) - Correct.
Wrong Usage
❌ 車を洗濯します (Kuruma o sentaku shimasu) - Washing a car.
✅ 車を洗います (Kuruma o araimasu) - Correct.

Another mistake involves the confusion between 洗濯 (sentaku - laundry) and 選択 (sentaku - choice). They are homophones (words that sound the same). In a conversation about a job offer, if you say sentaku shimashita, people will know you mean 'I made a choice.' If you are holding a basket of dirty clothes, they know you mean 'I did the laundry.' However, in writing, using the wrong kanji is a major error.

❌ 昨日は選択しました。 (I 'chose' yesterday - when you meant laundry.)
✅ 昨日は洗濯しました。 (I did laundry yesterday.)

Learners also often forget that sentaku shimasu covers the washing part, but doesn't necessarily include the drying part in a technical sense. If you want to say 'I'm drying the laundry,' you should use sentaku-mono o hoshimasu. Saying sentaku shimasu while you are physically hanging clothes on a line is slightly imprecise, though usually understood.

Particle Confusion
Some learners use 'ni' instead of 'o'. It is always 'Laundry [object] O shimasu'.

Finally, be careful with the word クリーニング (kuriningu). In Japan, 'kuriningu' usually refers specifically to professional dry cleaning. If you tell a friend kuriningu shimasu, they might think you are taking your expensive suits to a shop, rather than just using your washing machine at home.

While 洗濯します is the standard term, there are several related words that learners should distinguish to sound more natural and precise. Understanding the boundaries between these words is key to mastering Japanese household vocabulary.

洗う (Araimasu)
The general verb for 'to wash'. It is the root of many washing actions. You can 'arau' your clothes, but 'sentaku suru' is more specific and common for the whole laundry process.
クリーニングする (Kuriningu suru)
Borrowed from English 'cleaning'. In Japan, this almost exclusively means professional dry cleaning or specialized stain removal at a shop.
水洗い (Mizuarai)
Literally 'water wash'. This is used on clothing labels to indicate that an item can be washed with water (as opposed to dry clean only).

There is also the term 手洗い (tearai). While this can mean 'washing hands,' in the context of laundry, it means 'hand-washing' delicate items that shouldn't go in the machine. You might say, Kono seetaa wa tearai shimasu (I will hand-wash this sweater).

このシャツはデリケートだから、手洗いしてください。 (This shirt is delicate, so please hand-wash it.)

Another related term is 丸洗い (maruarai), which means washing the whole of something that isn't usually washed entirely, like a futon or a large stuffed animal. Futon o maruarai shimasu (I'm going to wash the whole futon).

部屋干し (Heyaboshi)
The act of drying laundry indoors. This is a very common term during the rainy season.
外干し (Sotoboshi)
Drying laundry outside in the sun.

Finally, don't forget コインランドリー (koin randorii). While 'sentaku' is the action, this is the location. You 'sentaku' at the 'koin randorii'. Using these words correctly will help you navigate the nuances of Japanese domestic life with much more confidence.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Suru-verb conjugation

Object marker 'o'

Instrumental 'de'

~te kara (sequence of actions)

~nagara (simultaneous actions)

Exemples par niveau

1

日曜日に洗濯します。

I do laundry on Sundays.

Basic present tense.

2

昨日、洗濯しました。

I did laundry yesterday.

Past tense 'shimashita'.

3

洗濯しますか?

Do you do laundry?

Question form with 'ka'.

4

私は洗濯しません。

I don't do laundry.

Negative form 'shimasen'.

5

母は洗濯します。

My mother does the laundry.

Third person subject.

6

服を洗濯します。

I wash clothes.

Object marker 'o'.

7

毎日洗濯します。

I do laundry every day.

Frequency adverb 'mainichi'.

8

ここで洗濯します。

I do laundry here.

Location marker 'de'.

1

天気がいいから、洗濯します。

The weather is good, so I'll do laundry.

Using 'kara' for reason.

2

洗濯してから、出かけます。

After doing laundry, I will go out.

~te kara (after doing...).

3

洗濯機で洗濯します。

I wash with a washing machine.

Instrumental 'de'.

4

このシャツを洗濯してください。

Please wash this shirt.

~te kudasai (request).

5

洗濯するのは大変です。

Doing laundry is hard work.

Nominalizing with 'no wa'.

6

週末にまとめて洗濯します。

I do all the laundry at once on the weekend.

Adverbial 'matomete'.

7

洗濯が終わりました。

The laundry is finished.

Noun form 'sentaku' as subject.

8

一緒に洗濯しましょう。

Let's do laundry together.

Volitional '~mashou'.

1

雨が降っているので、部屋で洗濯します。

It's raining, so I'll do laundry indoors.

Reason 'node' + indoor context.

2

洗濯しながら、音楽を聞きます。

I listen to music while doing laundry.

~nagara (simultaneous action).

3

この洗剤は洗濯しやすいです。

This detergent makes laundry easy.

~yasui (easy to...).

4

洗濯したばかりの服は気持ちいいです。

Clothes that have just been washed feel good.

~ta bakari (just finished).

5

明日洗濯するかどうか、分かりません。

I don't know whether I'll do laundry tomorrow or not.

~ka dou ka (whether or not).

6

洗濯するのを忘れました。

I forgot to do the laundry.

Verb nominalization + wasuremashita.

7

お風呂の水で洗濯します。

I wash clothes using bath water.

Cultural practice of 'furo-sui'.

8

洗濯物がまだ乾いていません。

The laundry isn't dry yet.

Negative continuous form.

1

洗濯すればするほど、服が傷みます。

The more you wash them, the more clothes get damaged.

~ba ~hodo (the more... the more...).

2

洗濯する代わりに、クリーニングに出します。

Instead of washing it myself, I'll take it to the dry cleaners.

~kawari ni (instead of).

3

最近の洗濯機は、節水しながら洗濯できます。

Recent washing machines can wash while saving water.

Potential form 'dekimasu'.

4

洗濯の仕方を教えていただけませんか?

Could you please teach me how to do the laundry?

Humble request '~te itadakemasen ka'.

5

忙しくて洗濯する暇もありません。

I'm so busy I don't even have time to do laundry.

Noun 'hima' (time/leisure).

6

洗濯指数によると、今日は外干しに最適です。

According to the laundry index, today is perfect for drying outside.

~ni yoru to (according to).

7

汚れがひどいので、二回洗濯しました。

The stains were bad, so I washed it twice.

Causal 'node' + frequency.

8

洗濯したはずなのに、まだ汚れています。

I should have washed it, but it's still dirty.

~hazu (expectation).

1

洗濯という行為は、日本文化において清浄さを象徴しています。

The act of washing symbolizes purity in Japanese culture.

Abstract noun usage.

2

環境への負荷を考えて、洗剤を使わずに洗濯します。

Considering the environmental burden, I wash without using detergent.

~zu ni (without doing).

3

洗濯を怠ると、すぐに家の中が散らかってしまいます。

If you neglect the laundry, the house gets messy immediately.

Conditional 'to' + 'okotaru' (neglect).

4

彼は過去の過ちを洗濯するかのように、熱心に働いた。

He worked hard as if to wash away his past mistakes.

Metaphorical usage.

5

洗濯の際に色落ちしないよう、注意が必要です。

Care is needed to prevent color fading during washing.

Formal 'no sai ni' (at the time of).

6

最新の技術により、水を使わずに洗濯することが可能になった。

With the latest technology, it has become possible to wash without water.

Formal 'kanou ni natta'.

7

洗濯物の乾き具合で、季節の移り変わりを感じる。

I feel the changing of seasons by how well the laundry dries.

Nuanced sensory observation.

8

伝統的な手法で布を洗濯し、染め物の美しさを保つ。

Wash the fabric using traditional methods to maintain the beauty of the dyeing.

Formal descriptive style.

1

洗濯という日常の営みの中に、日本人の美意識が凝縮されている。

Within the daily activity of laundry, the Japanese sense of aesthetics is condensed.

Highly academic/literary.

2

煩悩を洗濯し、心を清らかに保つ修行に励む。

Strive in training to wash away worldly desires and keep the heart pure.

Spiritual/Metaphorical.

3

繊維の構造を理解した上で洗濯しなければ、生地を台無しにする。

If you don't wash based on an understanding of fiber structure, you'll ruin the fabric.

~ue de (upon/after).

4

近代化以前、洗濯は共同体における重要な社交の場であった。

Before modernization, laundry was an important place for socialization in the community.

Historical analysis.

5

洗濯の自動化が女性の社会進出に与えた影響は計り知れない。

The impact that the automation of laundry had on women's social advancement is immeasurable.

Sociological discourse.

6

界面活性剤の化学反応を応用し、効率的に洗濯を行う。

Apply chemical reactions of surfactants to perform laundry efficiently.

Scientific register.

7

洗濯という言葉の裏には、単なる洗浄以上の浄化の意が込められている。

Behind the word 'sentaku' lies a meaning of purification beyond mere cleaning.

Linguistic philosophy.

8

万物の汚れを洗濯し尽くすかのような、激しい夕立が降った。

A violent evening shower fell, as if to wash away the impurities of all things.

Poetic/Descriptive.

Collocations courantes

服を洗濯します (Wash clothes)
洗濯機で洗濯します (Wash with a machine)
毎日洗濯します (Wash every day)
まとめて洗濯します (Wash all at once)
お湯で洗濯します (Wash with hot water)
洗剤で洗濯します (Wash with detergent)
手で洗濯します (Wash by hand)
外で洗濯します (Wash/dry outside)
きれいに洗濯します (Wash cleanly)
早朝に洗濯します (Wash early morning)

Souvent confondu avec

洗濯します vs 選択 (Sentaku)

洗濯します vs 洗う (Araimasu)

洗濯します vs クリーニング (Kuriningu)

Facile à confondre

洗濯します vs

洗濯します vs

洗濯します vs

洗濯します vs

洗濯します vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

sorting

Japanese people often sort laundry meticulously by color and fabric type.

furo sui

Using bath water is culturally accepted and common.

dryer usage

Dryers are less common in Japan; 'sentaku' usually implies hanging to dry.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'sentaku shimasu' for washing hands.
  • Confusing 'sentaku' (laundry) with 'sentaku' (choice) in writing.
  • Using the particle 'ni' instead of 'o'.
  • Thinking 'sentaku' includes professional dry cleaning.
  • Forgetting to conjugate 'shimasu' to 'shimashita' for past actions.

Astuces

Suru-Verb Rule

Remember that 'sentaku' is the noun. You can say 'sentaku o shimasu' or just 'sentaku shimasu'.

Sun Drying

Hanging clothes outside is a point of pride for many Japanese households. Sun-dried clothes have a specific 'sunny' smell.

Laundry Nets

Using 'sentaku netto' (laundry nets) for delicate items is very common in Japan to prevent damage.

Small Talk

Talking about the weather in relation to laundry is a very safe and common small talk topic.

Bath Water

If you see a hose in a Japanese bathroom, it's likely for pumping 'furo-sui' to the washing machine.

Kanji Practice

Both kanji in 'sentaku' have the water radical on the left. This helps you remember they are related to washing.

TV Cues

Listen for the word 'Attack' or 'Ariel' in commercials; the word 'sentaku' will almost always follow.

Politeness

When asking a host to use their machine, always use 'sentaku shite mo ii desu ka?'

Fabric Only

Always double-check you aren't using 'sentaku' for non-fabric items like cars or pets.

Homophone Alert

Context is king. If you are in a laundry room, 'sentaku' is washing. If you are in a voting booth, it's 'choice'.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Sino-Japanese (Kango) compound. Originally referred to hand-washing in rivers or tubs.

Contexte culturel

In some high-end apartments, hanging laundry visibly is restricted to maintain the building's appearance.

Doing a massive 'sentaku' of curtains and bedding is part of 'Osoji' (Big Cleaning) before the New Year.

Laundromats are becoming popular social hubs for young people and busy workers in cities.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"今日は洗濯日和ですね。 (Today is a great day for laundry, isn't it?)"

"毎日洗濯しますか? (Do you do laundry every day?)"

"洗濯機が壊れてしまいました。 (My washing machine broke down.)"

"この服は洗濯機で洗えますか? (Can this clothing be washed in a machine?)"

"どこに洗濯物を干せばいいですか? (Where should I hang the laundry?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe your laundry routine in Japanese.

Write about a time you ruined a piece of clothing in the wash.

Do you prefer drying clothes outside or using a dryer? Why?

What detergent do you use and why?

How does the weather affect your chores?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, use 'araimasu' for dishes. 'Sentaku shimasu' is only for clothes and fabrics.

'Sentaku' is the action of washing, while 'sentaku-mono' refers to the physical items being washed.

Yes, 'sentaku suru' is the casual form. Use 'sentaku shimasu' in polite situations.

Use 'sentaku-mono o hoshimasu' (洗濯物を干します).

It means 'a perfect day for laundry,' usually referring to a sunny, breezy day.

Typically no, most Japanese washing machines use cold water, though some modern ones have heating elements.

No, dry cleaning is called 'kuriningu'.

It is 'sentakuki' (洗濯機).

It is the practice of drying laundry inside the house, common during rain.

Yes, if they are fabric sneakers, but usually people say 'kutsu o araimasu'.

Teste-toi 180 questions

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