Meaning
To clean garments, usually in a washing machine.
Cultural Background
Sundays are 'Ruhetage' (rest days). Using a washing machine can be considered a noise disturbance in many apartment blocks. Similar to Germany, communal laundry rooms (Waschküche) in apartment buildings often have a strict schedule (Waschplan) where you are assigned specific days to wash your clothes. Germans are very conscious of water and energy usage. Many use 'Eco-Mode' and avoid dryers, preferring to hang clothes on a rack.
The 'ä' Rule
Always remember: ich wasche, but du wäschst. That little umlaut is the mark of a pro!
Sunday Laundry
Avoid washing clothes on Sundays in Germany if you live in an apartment. Your neighbors will thank you.
Meaning
To clean garments, usually in a washing machine.
The 'ä' Rule
Always remember: ich wasche, but du wäschst. That little umlaut is the mark of a pro!
Sunday Laundry
Avoid washing clothes on Sundays in Germany if you live in an apartment. Your neighbors will thank you.
Wäsche vs. Kleidung
Use 'Wäsche waschen' for the general chore and 'Kleidung waschen' when focusing on the items themselves.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'waschen' in the present tense.
Du ______ heute deine {die|f} Kleidung.
The verb 'waschen' changes its vowel from 'a' to 'ä' for the 'du' form.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural German sentence.
'Waschen' is the specific verb for fabrics and clothes.
Match the German word to its English equivalent.
Vocabulary Match
These are the core components of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum trägst du einen Schlafanzug? B: Weil ich meine ______ ______ muss.
If you are wearing pajamas, it's likely because your regular clothes are being washed.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Was kann man waschen?
Kleidung
- • T-Shirt
- • Hose
- • Socken
Körper
- • Hände
- • Haare
- • Gesicht
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDu ______ heute deine {die|f} Kleidung.
The verb 'waschen' changes its vowel from 'a' to 'ä' for the 'du' form.
Select the natural German sentence.
'Waschen' is the specific verb for fabrics and clothes.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the core components of the phrase.
A: Warum trägst du einen Schlafanzug? B: Weil ich meine ______ ______ muss.
If you are wearing pajamas, it's likely because your regular clothes are being washed.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsBoth are correct. 'Wäsche waschen' is slightly more common for the general household chore, while 'Kleidung waschen' is more specific to the garments.
Usually yes. 'Ich wasche meine Kleidung' or 'Ich wasche die Kleidung' sounds more natural than just 'Ich wasche Kleidung'.
That is 'chemisch reinigen'.
Yes! 'Ich wasche meine Haare' is perfectly correct.
The Perfekt is 'hat gewaschen'. For example: 'Ich habe gestern gewaschen.'
It is a strong verb because the stem vowel changes (a -> ä) and it ends in -en in the past participle.
Related Phrases
Wäsche waschen
similarTo do the laundry
sich waschen
builds onTo wash oneself
eine reine Weste waschen
figurativeTo clear one's name
