Meaning
To make something tidy or spotless.
Cultural Background
The 'Kehrwoche' is a tradition in Swabia where residents are legally or socially required to clean the stairs and sidewalk. If you live there, you will 'sauber machen' every Saturday! Sunday is a 'Ruhetag' (rest day). It is generally frowned upon to 'sauber machen' with a loud vacuum cleaner on Sundays. When moving out of an apartment, it must be 'besenrein' (broom-clean). This means you have to 'sauber machen' to a basic level before handing over the keys.
Separable Logic
Treat it like a separable verb. 'Sauber' always wants to be at the end of the clause.
Don't use for 'Doing'
Never use 'sauber machen' for 'doing' homework or tasks. It is strictly for hygiene/cleaning.
Meaning
To make something tidy or spotless.
Separable Logic
Treat it like a separable verb. 'Sauber' always wants to be at the end of the clause.
Don't use for 'Doing'
Never use 'sauber machen' for 'doing' homework or tasks. It is strictly for hygiene/cleaning.
The Noun Form
Use 'Das Saubermachen' (capitalized, one word) to talk about 'the cleaning' as a concept.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'machen' and 'sauber'.
Ich ___ heute {das|n} Bad ___.
In a main clause, 'mache' is the conjugated verb and 'sauber' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct?
The kitchen is dirty. What do you say?
Since the kitchen is 'dirty', 'sauber machen' is the correct choice.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
1. sauber machen, 2. aufräumen, 3. reinigen
Sauber machen is general, aufräumen is for tidying, and reinigen is formal.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum wäschst du dein Auto? B: Es ist schmutzig. Ich ___ ___ ___.
The pronoun 'es' comes after the verb 'mache'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Cleaning vs. Tidying
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ___ heute {das|n} Bad ___.
In a main clause, 'mache' is the conjugated verb and 'sauber' goes to the end.
The kitchen is dirty. What do you say?
Since the kitchen is 'dirty', 'sauber machen' is the correct choice.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Sauber machen is general, aufräumen is for tidying, and reinigen is formal.
A: Warum wäschst du dein Auto? B: Es ist schmutzig. Ich ___ ___ ___.
The pronoun 'es' comes after the verb 'mache'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsBoth are correct, but 'sauber machen' (two words) is the modern preference for the verb phrase.
No, for teeth we always use 'Zähne putzen'.
'Sauber machen' is everyday cleaning; 'reinigen' is professional or deep cleaning.
Yes, it means 'I am cleaning myself up' (e.g., after getting muddy).
Related Phrases
aufräumen
similarto tidy up
putzen
synonymto scrub or polish
reinigen
specialized formto clean/purify
