Kehren

The German word Kehren, when used as a nominalized infinitive (das Kehren), refers to the physical act of sweeping or cleaning a surface—usually a floor, street, or sidewalk—using a broom or brush. While the verb kehren is the primary action, the noun form is frequently used in administrative contexts, rental agreements, and cultural discussions regarding household duties. In the German-speaking world, particularly in the southern regions like Swabia, the act of sweeping is not just a chore but a social institution. The famous Kehrwoche (sweeping week) is a rotating schedule where residents of an apartment building take turns cleaning the communal areas. Understanding this word requires recognizing its dual nature: it is a mundane task of hygiene, yet it carries significant weight in the context of German societal expectations of order, cleanliness, and neighborly responsibility.

Physical Context

The manual removal of dust, dirt, or leaves from a hard surface using bristles.

Beyond the physical, Kehren can also appear in more abstract or metaphorical senses. In higher-level German (C1/C2), you might encounter the noun die Kehre, which refers to a sharp turn or a hairpin bend in a road. However, in the context of B1 learners focusing on domestic life, the focus remains on the action of sweeping. You will hear this word when discussing household chores, reading house rules (Hausordnung), or when someone is being reminded of their communal cleaning duties. It is a precise word that distinguishes the act of dry cleaning with a broom from Wischen (mopping with water) or Saugen (vacuuming).

Metaphorical Usage

Used in idioms like 'vor der eigenen Tür kehren' to mean minding one's own business or fixing one's own faults before criticizing others.

Using Kehren as a noun follows the rules of German nominalization. Since it is derived from the verb kehren, it is always neuter (das Kehren) and is often used in the dative case after prepositions like beim (at/during) or nach dem (after). For example, 'Beim Kehren habe ich einen Euro gefunden' (While sweeping, I found a euro). This structure is very common in German to describe an ongoing activity without needing a complex sub-clause.

Grammatical Pattern

[Preposition] + dem + Kehren + [Verb] ... (e.g., Nach dem Kehren war der Boden sauber).

When you use Kehren to describe the object of a sentence, you might see it paired with adjectives that describe the quality of the work. 'Ein gründliches Kehren' implies a thorough job, whereas 'ein schnelles Kehren' suggests a quick pass with the broom. It is also frequently found in compound nouns, which is a hallmark of the German language. Words like Straßenkehren (street sweeping) or Laubkehren (leaf sweeping) specify exactly what is being cleaned. This precision allows speakers to be very clear about the task at hand.

Common Context

Describing the frequency: 'Das wöchentliche Kehren' (the weekly sweeping).

In more formal writing, such as a rental agreement, you might see: 'Das Kehren des Treppenhauses erfolgt im wöchentlichen Wechsel.' This tells you that the responsibility for sweeping the stairwell rotates every week. Pay attention to the genitive case (des Treppenhauses) which often follows the nominalized verb to indicate what is being swept. Mastering this allows you to navigate official documents and household responsibilities with confidence.

You will most likely encounter the word Kehren in daily life within residential settings. If you live in an apartment building (Mehrfamilienhaus), the Hausmeister (caretaker) or your neighbors might use it when discussing the cleaning schedule. In southern Germany, the word is ubiquitous because of the Kehrwoche. You might see a small wooden sign hanging on a neighbor's door that says 'Kehrwoche,' which is a shorthand way of saying 'It is my turn for the sweeping.' In this context, das Kehren is a duty that is taken very seriously, and failing to perform it can lead to friction with neighbors.

Public Spaces

Signs indicating 'Straßenreinigung' often imply the 'Kehren' of gutters and sidewalks.

Another common place to hear the word is in professional cleaning services or municipal announcements. Cities often have large vehicles called Kehrmaschinen (sweeping machines) that clean the streets at night. Radio traffic reports might occasionally mention these machines if they are causing a slow-down on a major road. Furthermore, in autumn, you will hear people talking about das Kehren der Blätter (sweeping the leaves), which is a never-ending task during the transition from October to November. In these instances, the word carries a sense of seasonal routine and the maintenance of public order.

In the Media

Documentaries about German culture often feature the 'Kehrwoche' as a symbol of local tradition.

Finally, you might hear the word used metaphorically in news or political commentary. Phrases like 'vor der eigenen Haustür kehren' (sweeping before one's own front door) are used to tell politicians or public figures to fix their own problems before judging others. Even though the literal act of sweeping is humble, the word has deep roots in the German consciousness, representing a philosophy of taking responsibility for one's immediate surroundings. Whether you are in a small village or a large city like Berlin, das Kehren is a constant background activity of German life.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make is confusing Kehren with Fegen. While both mean 'to sweep,' Fegen is more common in Northern and Central Germany, whereas Kehren is the standard term in the South and in formal contexts. Using Fegen in Stuttgart might mark you as a northerner, but using Kehren in Hamburg is perfectly understood, though it might sound a bit more formal. Another mistake is using Kehren when you actually mean Wischen. Remember: Kehren is dry (broom), Wischen is wet (mop/cloth). If you say you are 'kehren' the kitchen floor but you have a bucket of water, a German speaker will be confused.

Kehren vs. Wischen

Kehren = Dry cleaning with a broom. Wischen = Wet cleaning with a mop.

Another grammatical pitfall is the gender and capitalization. Since Kehren in this context is a noun derived from a verb, it must always be capitalized and always takes the neuter article das. Learners often forget the article or fail to capitalize it, which makes the sentence look like it has a verb in the wrong place. For example, 'Ich hasse kehren' is technically understandable but grammatically incorrect; it should be 'Ich hasse das Kehren.' Additionally, do not confuse the noun das Kehren with the feminine noun die Kehre (the turn/bend). While they share the same root, their meanings are entirely different.

False Friends

'Begehren' (to desire) sounds similar but has nothing to do with cleaning!

Lastly, be careful with idioms. English speakers often try to translate 'to sweep something under the rug' literally. In German, the idiom is 'etwas unter den Teppich kehren.' While the verb is the same, the noun form is rarely used for this idiom. You wouldn't say 'Das Kehren unter den Teppich ist falsch.' Instead, you use the verbal form. Understanding when to use the noun (for the activity) versus the verb (for the specific action) is a key step in moving from B1 to B2 proficiency.

If you want to vary your vocabulary, there are several alternatives to Kehren depending on the context and region. The most common synonym is Fegen. In many parts of Germany, especially the North, Fegen is the go-to word for sweeping. It sounds a bit more energetic and less formal than Kehren. If you are cleaning a very large area or using a machine, you might use Reinigen (to clean/purify), which is a broader term that encompasses sweeping, washing, and disinfecting. For a very thorough, deep clean of a floor, Schrubben (to scrub) is the appropriate choice, implying much more physical effort than a simple sweep.

Fegen

The most direct synonym, preferred in Northern Germany. 'Das Fegen der Blätter.'

When talking about the tools used, Bürsten (brushing) is a related action. You might bürsten a carpet to remove pet hair, which is a more localized and intensive form of kehren. In a professional context, you might hear Säubern, which is a neutral way to say 'to make clean.' If you are specifically talking about removing dust, Abstauben (dusting) is the word you need. While Kehren usually happens on the floor, Abstauben happens on furniture and shelves. Knowing these distinctions helps you describe your household routine with much more precision.

Comparison Table

Kehren (Sweep - Broom) | Saugen (Vacuum - Machine) | Wischen (Mop - Water)

Lastly, consider the word Aufnehmen. In the context of cleaning, den Staub aufnehmen means to pick up the dust, often with a damp cloth or a specialized tool. This is the goal of das Kehren—to gather the Kehricht (the sweepings/trash) so it can be disposed of. By understanding this family of words, you can navigate any cleaning situation in a German-speaking household, from the weekly Kehrwoche to a deep spring clean (Frühjahrsputz).