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sauber machen

B1 verb #1,500 가장 일반적인 7분 분량

sauber machen

상위 1,500

At the A1 level, 'sauber machen' is introduced as a basic vocabulary phrase for daily routines. It means 'to clean'. You learn that it is made of two words: 'sauber' (clean) and 'machen' (to make). You use it to talk about simple chores at home. For example, you might say 'Ich mache mein Zimmer sauber' (I clean my room). It is important to remember that in a normal sentence, 'machen' is the verb that changes with the subject (ich mache, du machst), and 'sauber' goes to the very end of the sentence. This is a great phrase to learn early because it helps you describe your daily activities and responsibilities. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just practice putting 'sauber' at the end of simple sentences.

At the A2 level, your understanding of 'sauber machen' expands to include past tenses and modal verbs. You learn to say what you have cleaned or what you must clean. The perfect tense uses 'haben' and the past participle 'sauber gemacht'. For example, 'Ich habe die Küche sauber gemacht' (I cleaned the kitchen). With modal verbs like 'müssen' (must) or 'wollen' (want), the whole phrase goes to the end: 'Ich muss das Bad sauber machen'. You also start to distinguish it slightly from 'aufräumen' (to tidy up). You realize that 'aufräumen' is putting things in their place, while 'sauber machen' is actually removing dirt. This distinction helps you communicate more clearly about household chores and daily schedules.

At the B1 level, 'sauber machen' becomes a tool for more complex sentences and detailed descriptions of routines. You use it confidently in subordinate clauses (Nebensätze) with conjunctions like 'weil', 'dass', or 'wenn'. In these clauses, the separated parts come back together at the end of the sentence: 'Ich habe keine Zeit, weil ich das Haus sauber machen muss.' You also explore its use in different contexts, such as cleaning a car, preparing a workspace, or discussing hygiene. You begin to understand the nuances between 'sauber machen', 'putzen', and 'reinigen'. You know that 'putzen' often involves scrubbing (like windows or teeth), while 'sauber machen' is the general term for making something clean. This level focuses on fluency and correct word order in complex sentences.

At the B2 level, you use 'sauber machen' with complete grammatical accuracy and understand its stylistic placement. You recognize that while 'sauber machen' is perfectly fine for everyday conversation, 'reinigen' is preferred in formal or written contexts (e.g., 'Die Firma reinigt das Gebäude' vs. 'Wir machen das Haus sauber'). You can use it in passive constructions, though it's less common than using 'reinigen' for passive voice. You also understand compound nouns derived from it, like 'das Saubermachen' (the act of cleaning). You can discuss the division of labor in a household, societal expectations regarding cleanliness, and environmental aspects of cleaning products, using 'sauber machen' naturally alongside more advanced vocabulary.

At the C1 level, your grasp of 'sauber machen' includes idiomatic uses, subtle register shifts, and flawless integration into complex rhetorical structures. You understand that 'sauber machen' can sometimes be used metaphorically, though less frequently than other verbs. You are fully aware of the orthographic debates (sauber machen vs. saubermachen) and consistently apply the current Duden recommendations. You can effortlessly switch between 'sauber machen', 'reinigen', 'säubern', and 'putzen' depending on the exact nuance required by the context—whether it's a casual chat with a neighbor about the 'Kehrwoche' or a formal complaint to a landlord about building maintenance. Your use of the verb reflects native-like intuition regarding separable verbs in extended, multi-clause sentences.

At the C2 level, 'sauber machen' is a foundational element of your comprehensive German vocabulary. You appreciate its etymological roots and its role in the cultural lexicon of German-speaking countries, where cleanliness ('Sauberkeit') holds significant cultural value. You can analyze literature or media where the act of 'Saubermachen' is used as a narrative device or a symbol of order versus chaos. You manipulate the verb effortlessly in the most complex grammatical structures, including Konjunktiv I and II, and passive voice with modals, without ever losing track of the separable prefix. You understand regional variations and colloquialisms related to cleaning, recognizing 'sauber machen' as the universal standard against which regional dialects are measured.

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

sauber machen 30초 만에

A separable verb meaning 'to clean'.
Used in everyday situations for chores.
'Sauber' moves to the end of the sentence.
Synonyms include 'putzen' and 'reinigen'.

The German verb 'sauber machen' is a highly common, everyday expression that translates directly to 'to clean' or 'to make clean'. It is a separable verb, composed of the adjective 'sauber' (clean) and the verb 'machen' (to make or to do). When used in a main clause in the present or past tense, the prefix 'sauber' separates and moves to the very end of the sentence. Understanding this verb is crucial for navigating daily life in German-speaking countries, as it applies to everything from tidying up a room to cleaning an object.

Literal Meaning: To make something clean, focusing on the result of the action rather than the specific method used.

Ich muss heute noch die Küche sauber machen.

In contrast to verbs like 'putzen' (which often implies scrubbing or polishing) or 'reinigen' (which is more formal and often used for professional cleaning or dry cleaning), 'sauber machen' is the most versatile and universally understood term for restoring cleanliness to a space or item.

Usage Context: Informal to semi-formal situations, predominantly in spoken German and everyday written communication.

Wir machen das ganze Haus sauber.

The flexibility of this phrase allows it to be applied to a wide range of objects: you can 'sauber machen' a car, a pair of shoes, a wound, or an entire apartment. It emphasizes the transition from a dirty state to a clean state.

Kannst du bitte deine Schuhe sauber machen?

Grammar Note: As a separable verb, the past participle is formed by inserting 'ge' between the prefix and the stem: sauber gemacht.

Er hat den Tisch sauber gemacht.

Machst du das Bad sauber?

Ultimately, mastering 'sauber machen' provides learners with a highly functional tool for describing one of the most common human activities, ensuring clear communication in domestic and casual professional environments alike.

Using 'sauber machen' correctly requires an understanding of German separable verbs. In a standard declarative sentence in the present tense, the conjugated verb 'machen' takes the second position, while the prefix 'sauber' is sent to the absolute end of the clause.

Present Tense Structure: Subject + machen (conjugated) + Object + sauber.

Ich mache mein Zimmer sauber.

When using modal verbs (like müssen, können, wollen), the modal verb takes the second position, and the entire infinitive 'sauber machen' goes to the end of the sentence.

Modal Verb Structure: Subject + modal verb (conjugated) + Object + sauber machen.

Wir müssen heute das Auto sauber machen.

In the perfect tense (Perfekt), which is the most common past tense in spoken German, the auxiliary verb 'haben' is used, and the past participle is 'sauber gemacht'.

Sie hat den Teppich sauber gemacht.

Subordinate Clauses: Conjunction + Subject + Object + sauber machen (conjugated).

Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich sauber machen muss.

Wenn du sauber machst, helfe ich dir.

The spelling can sometimes be confusing. According to the current German orthography rules (Rechtschreibung), it is generally written as two words ('sauber machen'), but writing it as one word ('saubermachen') is also accepted in many contexts, especially when used as a noun ('das Saubermachen'). Always ensure you understand the syntactic environment to place the components correctly.

The phrase 'sauber machen' is ubiquitous in the German-speaking world, primarily because cleaning is a universal daily chore. You will hear it most frequently in domestic settings, among family members, roommates, or partners discussing household responsibilities.

At Home: Used to delegate chores, complain about messes, or announce cleaning plans.

Kinder, ihr müsst euer Zimmer sauber machen!

Beyond the home, you will hear it in casual workplaces, schools, and public spaces. For instance, a teacher might tell students to clean up their desks, or a shop manager might instruct an employee to clean a display.

Workplace: Used for general tidying up, though formal environments might prefer 'reinigen'.

Wir müssen den Laden vor Feierabend sauber machen.

Der Hausmeister wird den Flur sauber machen.

You might also encounter it in service contexts, such as taking a car to a car wash or asking someone to clean a specific item.

Services: Requesting cleaning services for vehicles, clothing, or property.

Können Sie diese Jacke sauber machen?

Ich werde am Wochenende das Aquarium sauber machen.

Its widespread use makes it an essential phrase for achieving fluency and natural expression in everyday German conversations.

Learners of German frequently make specific errors when using 'sauber machen', primarily related to its separable nature and its spelling. The most common mistake is failing to separate the prefix 'sauber' from the verb 'machen' in main clauses.

Separation Error: Keeping the word together when it should be split.

Incorrect: Ich saubermache die Küche. -> Correct: Ich mache die Küche sauber.

Another frequent issue is confusion over spelling. Is it one word or two? While older rules sometimes favored one word, modern German orthography strongly prefers writing it as two separate words: 'sauber machen'.

Spelling Confusion: Writing it as one word in the infinitive.

Wir wollen heute sauber machen. (Preferred over saubermachen)

Learners also sometimes confuse 'sauber machen' with 'aufräumen'. While both relate to tidying, they mean different things. 'Aufräumen' means to tidy up or organize (putting things away), whereas 'sauber machen' specifically means removing dirt, dust, or grime.

Semantic Error: Using 'sauber machen' when you just mean organizing a messy room.

Zuerst muss ich aufräumen, dann kann ich sauber machen.

Hast du den Fleck sauber gemacht?

Er vergisst immer, den Ofen sauber zu machen.

Paying attention to these distinctions will significantly improve the accuracy and natural flow of your German.

The German language offers several verbs related to cleaning, each with its own specific nuance and context. While 'sauber machen' is the most general and widely applicable, knowing its synonyms allows for more precise communication.

Putzen: Often involves water, scrubbing, or polishing. Used for windows, teeth, and floors.

Ich muss heute die Fenster putzen, anstatt nur grob sauber zu machen.

Another common synonym is 'reinigen'. This is a more formal term, often found in written instructions, professional cleaning services, or technical contexts.

Reinigen: Formal cleaning, purification, or professional services (like dry cleaning).

Die Maschine reinigt das Wasser, sie macht es sauber.

'Waschen' is strictly used when cleaning involves a significant amount of water, typically for laundry, dishes, or washing a car.

Waschen: Washing with water (clothes, body, car).

Ich wasche die Kleidung, um sie sauber zu machen.

Er macht den Grill sauber, anstatt ihn zu waschen.

Wir müssen die Wohnung gründlich sauber machen.

By understanding these subtle differences, you can choose the most appropriate verb for the specific cleaning task at hand, demonstrating a higher level of language proficiency.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

중립

비격식체

속어

난이도

알아야 할 문법

수준별 예문

Ich mache die Küche sauber.

I clean the kitchen.

Present tense, separable verb.

Machst du das Bad sauber?

Are you cleaning the bathroom?

Question format, separable verb.

Er macht den Tisch sauber.

He cleans the table.

Third person singular.

Wir machen das Haus sauber.

We clean the house.

First person plural.

Sie macht das Auto sauber.

She cleans the car.

Third person singular feminine.

Macht ihr die Fenster sauber?

Are you (plural) cleaning the windows?

Second person plural.

Das Kind macht sein Zimmer sauber.

The child cleans its room.

Neuter subject.

Ich mache meine Schuhe sauber.

I clean my shoes.

Plural object.

Ich habe gestern die Wohnung sauber gemacht.

I cleaned the apartment yesterday.

Perfect tense (Perfekt).

Du musst heute den Flur sauber machen.

You must clean the hallway today.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

Er will den Garten nicht sauber machen.

He doesn't want to clean the garden.

Modal verb 'wollen' with negation.

Wir haben das ganze Wochenende sauber gemacht.

We cleaned the whole weekend.

Perfect tense without a direct object.

Können Sie bitte diesen Tisch sauber machen?

Can you please clean this table?

Formal request with modal verb.

Sie hat ihre Brille sauber gemacht.

She cleaned her glasses.

Perfect tense.

Ich werde morgen mein Fahrrad sauber machen.

I will clean my bike tomorrow.

Future tense (Futur I).

Hast du den Käfig sauber gemacht?

Did you clean the cage?

Perfect tense question.

Ich kann nicht kommen, weil ich die Küche sauber machen muss.

I can't come because I have to clean the kitchen.

Subordinate clause with modal verb.

Es ist wichtig, dass wir den Strand sauber machen.

It is important that we clean the beach.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Wenn du das Bad sauber machst, sauge ich Staub.

If you clean the bathroom, I will vacuum.

Conditional clause (Wenn-Satz).

Er bat mich, den Teppich sauber zu machen.

He asked me to clean the carpet.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Wir haben stundenlang gebraucht, um die Garage sauber zu machen.

It took us hours to clean the garage.

Infinitive clause with 'um ... zu'.

Obwohl er müde war, hat er die Werkstatt sauber gemacht.

Although he was tired, he cleaned the workshop.

Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.

Das ist das Reinigungsmittel, mit dem ich den Ofen sauber mache.

That is the cleaning agent with which I clean the oven.

Relative clause.

Nachdem wir gegessen hatten, machten wir sofort sauber.

After we had eaten, we cleaned up immediately.

Temporal clause with 'nachdem' and Präteritum.

Das regelmäßige Saubermachen der Filter verlängert die Lebensdauer des Geräts.

Regularly cleaning the filters extends the lifespan of the device.

Nominalization (das Saubermachen).

Es wird erwartet, dass die Mieter das Treppenhaus abwechselnd sauber machen.

It is expected that the tenants take turns cleaning the stairwell.

Passive voice in the main clause, subordinate clause.

Hätte ich gewusst, wie lange das dauert, hätte ich es nicht selbst sauber gemacht.

If I had known how long it takes, I wouldn't have cleaned it myself.

Konjunktiv II (Past conditional).

Die Wunde muss gründlich sauber gemacht werden, um Infektionen zu vermeiden.

The wound must be cleaned thoroughly to avoid infections.

Passive voice with modal verb.

Anstatt die Wohnung sauber zu machen, lag er den ganzen Tag auf dem Sofa.

Instead of cleaning the apartment, he lay on the sofa all day.

Infinitive clause with 'anstatt ... zu'.

Sie legte großen Wert darauf, dass alles blitzblank sauber gemacht wurde.

She attached great importance to everything being cleaned sparkling clean.

Prepositional adverb (darauf) with dass-clause.

Der Fleck ließ sich trotz intensiven Schrubbens nicht sauber machen.

The stain could not be cleaned despite intensive scrubbing.

Reflexive construction 'sich lassen' as passive alternative.

Je öfter man den Grill sauber macht, desto leichter geht es beim nächsten Mal.

The more often you clean the grill, the easier it is the next time.

Proportional clause (Je ... desto).

Die Opposition forderte, die politischen Strukturen endlich von Grund auf sauber zu machen.

The opposition demanded that the political structures finally be cleaned up from the ground up.

Metaphorical use, infinitive clause.

Es obliegt dem scheidenden Mieter, die Räumlichkeiten besenrein sauber zu machen.

It is incumbent upon the departing tenant to clean the premises broom-clean.

Formal vocabulary (obliegen), specific adjective (besenrein).

Selbst wenn sie die Beweise sauber gemacht hätten, wären Spuren geblieben.

Even if they had cleaned the evidence, traces would have remained.

Konjunktiv II in a concessive conditional clause.

Das ständige Saubermachen-Müssen empfand sie als eine unerträgliche Bürde.

She perceived the constant having-to-clean as an unbearable burden.

Complex nominalization of a modal phrase.

Er ging daran, sein Image in der Öffentlichkeit wieder sauber zu machen.

He set about cleaning up his image in public again.

Figurative use, 'daran gehen' construction.

Die Fassade wurde mittels Hochdruckreiniger fachgerecht sauber gemacht.

The facade was professionally cleaned using a high-pressure cleaner.

Passive voice with formal preposition (mittels).

Man kann nicht leugnen, dass das Saubermachen eine gewisse meditative Qualität besitzt.

One cannot deny that cleaning possesses a certain meditative quality.

Sophisticated vocabulary, nominalization.

Kaum hatte er den Boden sauber gemacht, lief der Hund mit schlammigen Pfoten darüber.

Hardly had he cleaned the floor when the dog ran over it with muddy paws.

Inversion with 'Kaum', past perfect.

In der Literatur wird das Saubermachen oft als Metapher für innere Katharsis verwendet.

In literature, cleaning is often used as a metaphor for inner catharsis.

Academic register, passive voice.

Die Akribie, mit der sie die antiken Münzen sauber machte, grenzte an Obsession.

The meticulousness with which she cleaned the antique coins bordered on obsession.

Advanced vocabulary (Akribie, grenzen an).

Es bedurfte erheblicher Anstrengungen, den durch die Havarie kontaminierten Küstenstreifen wieder sauber zu machen.

It required considerable effort to clean the stretch of coast contaminated by the accident again.

Formal verb (bedürfen) with genitive, extended participial attribute.

Obgleich die Notwendigkeit des Saubermachens unbestritten ist, scheiden sich an der Methode die Geister.

Although the necessity of cleaning is undisputed, opinions differ on the method.

Concessive clause (obgleich), idiomatic expression (sich die Geister scheiden).

Der Versuch, seine Weste durch hastige Dementis sauber zu machen, schlug fehl.

The attempt to clean his vest (clear his name) through hasty denials failed.

Idiom (eine weiße Weste haben / Weste sauber machen).

Man rühmte sich, die Stadtviertel von kriminellen Elementen 'sauber gemacht' zu haben, ein euphemistischer und gefährlicher Sprachgebrauch.

They boasted of having 'cleaned' the neighborhoods of criminal elements, a euphemistic and dangerous use of language.

Critical discourse analysis, extended infinitive.

Die Restauratoren standen vor der delikaten Aufgabe, das Fresko sauber zu machen, ohne die Pigmente zu beschädigen.

The restorers faced the delicate task of cleaning the fresco without damaging the pigments.

Complex sentence structure, specialized context.

Das ritualisierte Saubermachen im Vorfeld des Festes diente der symbolischen Erneuerung der Gemeinschaft.

The ritualized cleaning in the run-up to the festival served the symbolic renewal of the community.

Anthropological/sociological register.

자주 쓰는 조합

die Wohnung sauber machen

das Zimmer sauber machen

die Küche sauber machen

das Bad sauber machen

die Schuhe sauber machen

das Auto sauber machen

den Käfig sauber machen

gründlich sauber machen

schnell sauber machen

alles sauber machen

자주 쓰는 구문

Ich muss sauber machen.

Mach das bitte sauber.

Wir machen heute Großputz und machen alles sauber.

Hast du schon sauber gemacht?

Es ist Zeit, sauber zu machen.

Lass uns zusammen sauber machen.

Ich hasse es, sauber zu machen.

Wer macht heute sauber?

Ich bin fertig mit dem Saubermachen.

Das lässt sich leicht sauber machen.

자주 혼동되는 단어

sauber machen vs aufräumen (to tidy up - organizing items, not necessarily washing them)

sauber machen vs putzen (to clean - often implies scrubbing, wiping with water)

sauber machen vs reinigen (to clean - more formal, professional)

관용어 및 표현

혼동하기 쉬운

sauber machen vs

문장 패턴

사용법

nuance

Focuses on the removal of dirt, not just organizing (which is aufräumen).

context

Universally understood and used daily.

regional

Understood everywhere, though 'putzen' might be preferred for floors/windows in the South.

자주 하는 실수

Not separating 'sauber' and 'machen' in main clauses (e.g., saying 'Ich saubermache').
Using 'sauber machen' when 'aufräumen' (tidying up) is meant.
Forgetting the 'ge-' in the middle for the past participle (saying 'gesaubermacht' instead of 'sauber gemacht').
Writing it as one word in formal writing when it should be two.
Using it for body parts instead of 'waschen' (e.g., 'Hände sauber machen' instead of 'Hände waschen').

팁

The Bracket Rule

Think of 'machen' and 'sauber' as a pair of brackets [ ]. In a main sentence, 'machen' opens the bracket at position 2, and 'sauber' closes it at the very end. Everything else (time, object, place) goes inside the brackets. Example: Ich [mache] heute das Auto [sauber].

Aufräumen vs. Sauber machen

Remember the sequence of chores. First, you 'räumst auf' (put things away). Then, you 'machst sauber' (wipe, vacuum, remove dirt). Using them correctly shows a high level of German proficiency.

Two Words are Safer

If you are unsure whether to write 'saubermachen' or 'sauber machen', always choose two words for the verb. The Duden recommends two words. Only write it as one word if you are using it as a noun: das Saubermachen.

Natural Flow

In spoken German, native speakers often blend the words together at the end of a sentence. '...sauber machen' might sound like '...saubermachn'. Don't over-enunciate the 'e' in 'machen'.

When to use Putzen

If you are using a brush, a sponge, or a lot of effort, 'putzen' might be a better word. You 'putzen' windows and teeth. You 'machen sauber' a table or a room in general.

Subordinate Clauses

When using 'weil', 'dass', or 'wenn', the verb 'machen' is pushed to the end and reconnects with 'sauber'. Example: '...weil ich das Haus sauber mache.' They become neighbors again at the end of the sentence.

The Putzplan

If you live in a German WG (shared flat), the 'Putzplan' is sacred. When it's your turn to 'sauber machen', do it thoroughly. German standards for a clean shared space can be quite high!

Wait for the End

When listening to German, you must wait until the very end of the sentence to know what is happening. If someone says 'Ich mache...', they might be making a cake, or they might say 'sauber' at the end, meaning they are cleaning.

Formal Alternatives

If you are writing a formal email to a landlord or a company, use 'reinigen' instead of 'sauber machen'. It sounds more professional. 'Die Wohnung wurde gereinigt' is better than 'Die Wohnung wurde sauber gemacht'.

Literal Translation

Translate it literally in your head as 'to make clean'. This helps you remember that it consists of two parts and helps you place 'clean' (sauber) at the end of your English-German mental translation.

암기하기

기억법

Imagine making (machen) something so sour (sauber sounds a bit like sour) that all the dirt runs away, leaving it clean.

어원

Germanic

문화적 맥락

A cleaning roster, essential in shared flats (Wohngemeinschaften or WGs).

A regional tradition (especially in Swabia) where tenants rotate the duty of cleaning communal areas.

Spring cleaning, a thorough cleaning of the house traditionally done in spring.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Wer ist diese Woche mit dem Saubermachen dran?"

"Wie oft machst du deine Wohnung sauber?"

"Hast du einen Putzplan für das Saubermachen?"

"Was machst du am wenigsten gern sauber?"

"Hörst du Musik, wenn du sauber machst?"

일기 주제

Beschreibe deine Routine beim Saubermachen am Wochenende.

Warum ist es wichtig, seinen Arbeitsplatz sauber zu machen?

Erzähle von einem Mal, als du etwas sehr Schmutziges sauber machen musstest.

Ist Saubermachen für dich stressig oder entspannend?

Wie teilt ihr das Saubermachen in eurer Familie oder WG auf?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

According to the current Duden (German spelling dictionary), the recommended spelling for the verb is two words: 'sauber machen'. However, 'saubermachen' is also listed as an alternative valid spelling in certain contexts. When used as a noun, it is always one word and capitalized: 'das Saubermachen'. For learners, sticking to two words for the verb is the safest and most standard approach. It highlights its nature as a separable verb.

'Aufräumen' means to tidy up or organize. If you have clothes on the floor and books on the bed, you put them away—that is 'aufräumen'. 'Sauber machen' means to actually remove dirt, dust, or grime. If you vacuum the floor or wipe the table with a wet cloth, you are 'sauber machen'. Usually, you have to 'aufräumen' before you can 'sauber machen'.

While people will understand you if you say 'Ich mache meine Hände sauber', it is much more natural and common to use the verb 'waschen' for body parts. You should say 'Ich wasche mir die Hände'. 'Sauber machen' is typically reserved for objects, rooms, or surfaces.

When you use a modal verb like 'müssen' (must), the modal verb is conjugated and takes the second position in the sentence. The entire infinitive phrase 'sauber machen' goes to the very end of the sentence. For example: 'Ich muss heute die Küche sauber machen.' You do not separate them when a modal verb is present.

To form the Perfekt tense, you use the auxiliary verb 'haben' and the past participle. Because 'sauber machen' is a separable verb, the 'ge-' prefix goes between 'sauber' and 'macht'. The past participle is 'sauber gemacht'. Example: 'Ich habe das Auto sauber gemacht.'

'Sauber machen' is neutral but leans towards informal, everyday language. It is perfectly fine to use with friends, family, and colleagues. However, in highly formal writing, official documents, or professional contexts (like a dry cleaning service), the verb 'reinigen' is preferred.

No, that is grammatically incorrect. In German main clauses, the separable prefix must go to the absolute end of the sentence. The correct word order is: 'Ich mache mein Zimmer sauber.' The verb 'machen' and the prefix 'sauber' act like a bracket around the object.

When you capitalize it and write it as one word, it becomes a noun (a gerund). It translates to 'the cleaning' or 'the act of cleaning'. For example: 'Das Saubermachen dauert lange' means 'The cleaning takes a long time.' It is a neuter noun, so it takes the article 'das'.

While 'sauber machen' itself is mostly literal, the concept of cleanliness appears in idioms. For example, 'eine weiße Weste haben' means to have a clean record (a white vest). 'Reinen Tisch machen' means to clear the air or tell the truth, which is similar to the concept of making a table clean.

You can say 'Ich mache das Geschirr sauber', but it is much more common to use specific verbs for this chore. Most Germans say 'Ich wasche ab' (I wash up) or 'Ich spüle das Geschirr' (I rinse the dishes). 'Sauber machen' is a bit too general for doing the dishes.