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धुलाईघर

A2 noun #7,000 most common 10 min read

धुलाईघर

dhulaai-ghar Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips धुलाईघर in 30 Seconds

Explanation धुलाईघर in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'dhulāīghar' as a simple word for a room in the house. Just like you learn 'kamrā' (room) or 'ghar' (house), 'dhulāīghar' is where you wash clothes. It's a masculine word. You can use it in simple sentences like 'This is the laundry room' (Yah dhulāīghar hai) or 'The laundry room is small' (Dhulāīghar chhoṭā hai). It's a helpful word for basic house descriptions.

At the A2 level, you can use 'dhulāīghar' to describe your daily routine and chores. You can say things like 'I am going to the laundry room' or 'The washing machine is in the laundry room'. You should also start noticing that because the word is masculine, you use 'merā' (my) and 'baṛā' (big). It helps you give more detail when talking about your home or where things are located.

At the B1 level, you can use 'dhulāīghar' to discuss household management and home improvements. You might describe the features of a laundry room, such as its ventilation or size, and compare it with other rooms. You can also use it in more complex sentences with postpositions, like 'There is a lot of noise coming from the laundry room'. This level involves connecting the room to actions and consequences.

At the B2 level, you can use the word in professional or technical contexts, such as real estate or interior design. You can discuss the necessity of a 'dhulāīghar' in modern architecture or its placement for maximum efficiency. You might also use it when discussing industrial settings, like how a hotel manages its massive laundry operations. Your grammar should be precise, using the correct oblique forms like 'dhulāīgharoñ'.

At the C1 level, you can use 'dhulāīghar' in nuanced discussions about social changes in India—how the shift from communal washing at rivers to private laundry rooms reflects urbanization and economic growth. You can use the word in literary descriptions to set a scene or as a metaphor for hidden household labor. You should be comfortable using it alongside more formal synonyms like 'prakshālan kaksh'.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'dhulāīghar' and its cultural implications. You can engage in complex sociological debates about the domestic sphere and the evolution of the Indian household. You can use the word in any context, from high-level architectural critiques to subtle creative writing, perfectly navigating the registers of formal, technical, and colloquial Hindi.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

धुलाईघर in 30 Seconds

Dhulāīghar means 'laundry room' in Hindi.
It is a masculine noun formed from 'washing' + 'house'.
It refers to a dedicated indoor space for laundry tasks.
Commonly used in modern urban household and real estate contexts.

The Hindi word धुलाईघर (Dhulāīghar) is a compound noun formed by two distinct parts: धुलाई (dhulāī), which means 'washing' or 'laundering', and घर (ghar), which means 'house' or 'room'. When combined, it literally translates to 'washing-house' or 'washing-room'. In a modern domestic context, it refers specifically to the laundry room—the dedicated space in a home where clothes are washed, dried, and sometimes ironed. While traditional Indian homes often utilized open-air courtyards or bathrooms for washing, the term धुलाईघर has gained significant traction with the rise of modern apartment living and the introduction of dedicated laundry areas. It is a functional, descriptive term that is used across various registers of Hindi, from everyday household conversations to real estate listings.

Functional Utility: This word is used to identify the specific location of laundry appliances like washing machines and dryers. If you are looking for your lost sock or checking if the load is done, you are headed to the धुलाईघर.

नया वॉशिंग मशीन अब धुलाईघर में रखा गया है। (The new washing machine is now kept in the laundry room.)

Historically, the concept of a 'room' for washing was rare in rural settings where clothes were washed at the riverbank or a communal well. However, in contemporary literature and architectural descriptions, धुलाईघर represents the modernization of the Indian home. It distinguishes the act of cleaning clothes from the act of personal bathing, which happens in the स्नानघर (snānghar) or bathroom. Understanding this distinction is crucial for learners to navigate a house layout in Hindi. The word is masculine in gender, which affects the adjectives and verbs associated with it. For example, you would say 'छोटा धुलाईघर' (small laundry room) rather than 'छोटी'.

क्या आपके घर में एक अलग धुलाईघर है? (Do you have a separate laundry room in your house?)

Contextual Usage: Used primarily in domestic settings, architectural plans, and when discussing household chores or home improvement projects.

In commercial contexts, such as a hotel or a hospital, this word might be replaced by लॉन्ड्री विभाग (laundry vibhāg), but धुलाईघर remains the most accurate translation for a residential laundry room. It evokes a sense of organization and modern convenience. When speaking with a domestic helper or a family member, using this term clarifies exactly where the laundry-related tasks should occur. It is a compound that follows the standard Hindi pattern of [Action] + [Ghar/Room], similar to रसोईघर (rasoīghar - kitchen) or पूजाघर (pūjāghar - prayer room).

साफ कपड़े धुलाईघर की टोकरी में रखे हैं। (The clean clothes are kept in the laundry room basket.)

Using धुलाईघर (Dhulāīghar) correctly involves understanding its grammatical properties as a masculine noun. In Hindi, nouns dictate the gender of the adjectives and the forms of the verbs that describe them. Because धुलाईघर is masculine, any adjective modifying it must end in the masculine form (usually '-ā' or '-e'). For instance, 'large laundry room' is बड़ा धुलाईघर (baṛā dhulāīghar). Similarly, possessive pronouns like 'my' or 'your' must be masculine: मेरा धुलाईघर (merā dhulāīghar). When using postpositions like 'in' (में - meñ) or 'to' (को - ko), the noun itself doesn't change because it ends in a consonant, but the surrounding grammar must align.

Positioning in the House: When describing where the laundry room is located, you use locative markers. Example: 'The laundry room is next to the kitchen' translates to धुलाईघर रसोईघर के पास है (dhulāīghar rasoīghar ke pās hai).

हमारा धुलाईघर बहुत हवादार और साफ है। (Our laundry room is very airy and clean.)

When talking about actions performed in the room, the verb usually comes at the end of the sentence. For example, 'I am washing clothes in the laundry room' is मैं धुलाईघर में कपड़े धो रहा हूँ (maiñ dhulāīghar meñ kapṛe dho rahā hūñ). Here, 'meñ' (in) acts as the postposition following the noun. If you want to say 'Go to the laundry room', you would say धुलाईघर जाओ (dhulāīghar jāo). The word is very versatile; you can use it to talk about maintenance, decoration, or daily chores. It is also important to note that in plural forms, धुलाईघर remains the same in the direct case but changes to धुलाईघरों (dhulāīgharoñ) in the oblique case (when followed by a postposition).

इन बड़े धुलाईघरों में कई मशीनें लगी हैं। (Many machines are installed in these large laundry rooms.)

In more advanced usage, you might use the word as part of a complex subject or object. 'The renovation of the laundry room was expensive' would be धुलाईघर की मरम्मत महंगी थी (dhulāīghar kī marammat mahaṅgī thī). Notice the use of 'kī' (of) because 'marammat' (renovation) is a feminine noun, while धुलाईघर itself remains masculine. This interplay of genders is a hallmark of Hindi sentence construction. Whether you are describing a simple chore or a complex architectural plan, the word धुलाईघर provides a precise anchor for your description.

कृपया गंदे कपड़े धुलाईघर में छोड़ दें। (Please leave the dirty clothes in the laundry room.)

The word धुलाईघर (Dhulāīghar) is frequently heard in several distinct social and professional contexts in India. One of the most common places is in the real estate market. When property agents or developers are showing modern apartments or villas, they use this term to highlight the 'utility' or 'service area' as a selling point. In brochures and floor plans, धुलाईघर is the standard Hindi term for a laundry room. Hearing this word in such a context signifies a higher standard of living, as older or more basic housing units might not have a dedicated space for this purpose.

Modern Living: In urban settings, you will hear this word during home tours, interior design consultations, and when discussing household management with family or staff.

बिल्डर ने नक्शे में धुलाईघर के लिए अलग जगह दी है। (The builder has provided a separate space for the laundry room in the map.)

Another common setting is within the hospitality industry. While high-end hotels might use English terminology with guests, the internal staff—housekeeping, maintenance, and management—will use धुलाईघर to refer to the massive industrial laundry facilities on-site. If you were to watch a Hindi-language documentary or news segment about the operations of a large institution like a hospital or a boarding school, the narrator would likely use this term to describe the washing facilities. It is a formal yet accessible word that conveys the specific function of the space without being overly technical.

In popular media, such as Hindi television serials (soaps) or movies that depict middle-to-upper-class life, characters might mention the धुलाईघर when discussing chores or when a scene takes place while someone is doing laundry. It’s also a term you would encounter in home appliance advertisements. A commercial for a washing machine might talk about how their product fits perfectly into your modern धुलाईघर. For a learner, recognizing this word helps in understanding the layout of an Indian home and the vocabulary of modern daily life. It is less likely to be used in very rural areas where washing is still a communal or outdoor activity, making it a marker of urbanized Hindi.

होटल के धुलाईघर में चौबीसों घंटे काम चलता है। (Work goes on twenty-four hours in the hotel's laundry room.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with धुलाईघर (Dhulāīghar) is confusing it with other places where washing occurs. A major point of confusion is between धुलाईघर and स्नानघर (snānghar). While both involve water and 'washing' in a broad sense, स्नानघर is strictly for bathing (personal hygiene), whereas धुलाईघर is for laundering clothes. In many older Indian homes, these two activities might happen in the same physical space, but linguistically, they are distinct. Using 'snānghar' when you mean 'laundry room' can lead to confusion about where your clothes are being kept or cleaned.

Room vs. Shop: Do not confuse धुलाईघर with a commercial laundry shop. A shop is usually called a 'laundry' or 'dhobi kī dukān'. धुलाईघर is the room inside a building.

गलत: मैं स्नानघर में कपड़े धोता हूँ। (I wash clothes in the bathroom - common but less precise.)
सही: मैं धुलाईघर में कपड़े धोता हूँ। (I wash clothes in the laundry room.)

Another common error is gender-related. As mentioned, धुलाईघर is masculine. Learners often mistakenly treat it as feminine because 'dhulāī' (washing) is a feminine noun. However, in Hindi compound words ending in 'ghar', the gender of the compound is determined by 'ghar', which is masculine. Therefore, saying 'merī dhulāīghar' (my laundry room - feminine) is incorrect; it must be 'merā dhulāīghar'. This is a rule that applies to all '-ghar' compounds, like रसोईघर (rasoīghar) or डाकघर (ḍākghar - post office). Remembering this 'Ghar is Masculine' rule will save you from many grammatical stumbles.

Lastly, some learners might over-formalize and use terms like 'vastra-shodhan-shālā' which, while technically correct in high Sanskritized Hindi, sounds completely unnatural in a modern home. Stick to धुलाईघर or even the loanword 'laundry' in casual conversation. On the other hand, don't use 'Dhobi Ghat' to describe a room in your house; that term specifically refers to the large, often outdoor, traditional washing areas found in Indian cities like Mumbai. Using the right word for the right scale of operation is key to sounding like a native speaker.

सावधानी: धुलाईघर पुल्लिंग है, इसलिए 'बड़ा' कहें, 'बड़ी' नहीं। (Caution: Laundry room is masculine, so say 'baṛā', not 'baṛī'.)

While धुलाईघर (Dhulāīghar) is the standard term for a laundry room, there are several related words and alternatives that you might encounter depending on the region, the level of formality, and the specific context. Understanding these nuances will help you broaden your vocabulary and adapt to different social situations. The most common alternative in modern urban India is the English loanword लॉन्ड्री (laundry). It is often used interchangeably with धुलाईघर, especially among English-speaking populations or in high-end real estate contexts. However, धुलाईघर remains the preferred choice for formal writing and pure Hindi speech.

धुलाईघर vs. धोबीघर: धुलाईघर: A general term for a laundry room.
धोबीघर (Dhobīghar): Literally 'washerman's house'. It can refer to a laundry room but often implies a commercial or institutional washing area where a professional 'dhobi' works.

Another related term is प्रक्षालन कक्ष (prakshālan kaksh). This is a highly formal, Sanskritized term that you might only see in technical architectural documents or very formal government signage. It is almost never used in spoken conversation. On the other end of the spectrum is कपड़े धोने की जगह (kapṛe dhone kī jagah), which literally means 'place for washing clothes'. This is a descriptive phrase rather than a single noun and is very common in casual, everyday speech, especially if a house doesn't have a dedicated room but just a specific corner for washing.

बड़े अस्पतालों में एक विशाल धोबीघर होता है। (Big hospitals have a massive laundry facility/washerman's area.)

It's also worth noting terms like धुलाई केंद्र (dhulāī kendra), which translates to 'washing center'. This is usually used for commercial car washes or large-scale industrial washing facilities. For learners, focusing on धुलाईघर is the most productive approach as it is the most standard and widely understood term for the domestic setting. By comparing it with these alternatives, you can see how Hindi uses specific suffixes like '-ghar', '-shālā', and '-kendra' to categorize different types of spaces based on their function and scale.

आजकल लोग अपने धुलाईघर को भी सुंदर सजाते हैं। (Nowadays, people decorate their laundry rooms beautifully as well.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient India, the 'Ghar' suffix was used for any functional building. 'Dhulāīghar' is a relatively modern adaptation of this ancient linguistic pattern to fit indoor plumbing.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /d̪ʱʊ.laː.iː.ɡʱəɾ/

US /dhu.la.i.ɡər/

Primary stress is on the second syllable 'laa'. Secondary stress is on the first syllable of 'ghar'.

Rhymes With

डाकघर (ḍākghar) चिड़ियाघर (chiṛiyāghar) रसोईघर (rasoīghar) पूजाघर (pūjāghar) स्नानघर (snānghar) अजायबघर (ajāyabghar) दफ़्तर (daftar) नगर (nagar)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'dh' as a simple 'd' (like 'door').
Pronouncing 'gh' as a simple 'g' (like 'goat').
Shortening the long 'ee' sound in the middle.
Treating the 'r' as an American rhotic 'r' instead of a tap.
Missing the aspiration on both 'dh' and 'gh'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read as it follows standard phonetic rules.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling of aspirated consonants 'dh' and 'gh'.

Speaking 3/5

Aspiration on 'dh' and 'gh' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

घर (house) धोना (to wash) कमरा (room) कपड़े (clothes) मशीन (machine)

Learn Next

रसोईघर (kitchen) स्नानघर (bathroom) बैठक (living room) पूजाघर (prayer room) बालकनी (balcony)

Advanced

नमी (moisture) निकासी (drainage) वेंटिलेशन (ventilation) उपकरण (appliances) वास्तुकला (architecture)

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Agreement

बड़ा धुलाईघर (Big laundry room) - Adjective ends in 'ā'.

Postposition Use

धुलाईघर में (In the laundry room) - Noun does not change form.

Oblique Plural

धुलाईघरों में (In the laundry rooms) - Changes to 'oñ'.

Compound Word Gender

रसोईघर, डाकघर, धुलाईघर are all masculine because of 'ghar'.

Possessive Agreement

मेरा धुलाईघर (My laundry room) - 'merā' is masculine.

Examples by Level

यह धुलाईघर है।

This is the laundry room.

Direct use of the noun with a demonstrative pronoun.

धुलाईघर कहाँ है?

Where is the laundry room?

Interrogative sentence using 'kāhāñ'.

धुलाईघर छोटा है।

The laundry room is small.

Adjective 'chhoṭā' agrees with masculine 'dhulāīghar'.

मेरा धुलाईघर साफ है।

My laundry room is clean.

Possessive 'merā' agrees with masculine noun.

वहाँ एक धुलाईघर है।

There is a laundry room there.

Use of 'vahāñ' for location.

धुलाईघर में मशीन है।

There is a machine in the laundry room.

Use of postposition 'meñ'.

यह एक नया धुलाईघर है।

This is a new laundry room.

Adjective 'nayā' is masculine.

धुलाईघर बंद है।

The laundry room is closed.

Adjective 'band' remains unchanged.

मैं धुलाईघर जा रहा हूँ।

I am going to the laundry room.

Present continuous tense.

कपड़े धुलाईघर में रखें।

Keep the clothes in the laundry room.

Imperative sentence.

धुलाईघर रसोई के बगल में है।

The laundry room is next to the kitchen.

Use of 'ke bagal meñ' for proximity.

क्या धुलाईघर में साबुन है?

Is there soap in the laundry room?

Yes/No question with 'kyā'.

हम धुलाईघर साफ कर रहे हैं।

We are cleaning the laundry room.

Plural subject with present continuous.

धुलाईघर की खिड़की खुली है।

The laundry room window is open.

Genitive 'kī' agrees with feminine 'khiṛkī'.

वह धुलाईघर में कपड़े धोती है।

She washes clothes in the laundry room.

Present simple tense.

धुलाईघर में बहुत रोशनी है।

There is a lot of light in the laundry room.

Describing the atmosphere of the room.

धुलाईघर में नमी की समस्या है।

There is a moisture problem in the laundry room.

Discussing a specific issue.

हमें धुलाईघर के लिए नया रैक चाहिए।

We need a new rack for the laundry room.

Use of 'ke liye' (for).

धुलाईघर से अजीब आवाज़ आ रही है।

A strange sound is coming from the laundry room.

Use of 'se' (from).

मैंने कल धुलाईघर को व्यवस्थित किया।

I organized the laundry room yesterday.

Past tense with 'ne' construction.

धुलाईघर में कपड़ों का ढेर लगा है।

There is a pile of clothes in the laundry room.

Descriptive phrase 'ḍher lagā hai'.

क्या आप धुलाईघर की लाइट बंद कर सकते हैं?

Can you turn off the laundry room light?

Polite request with 'sakte haiñ'.

धुलाईघर का दरवाज़ा पेंट करना होगा।

The laundry room door will have to be painted.

Future obligation 'hoga'.

वह अपना ज़्यादातर समय धुलाईघर में बिताती है।

She spends most of her time in the laundry room.

Expressing frequency and duration.

आधुनिक घरों में धुलाईघर एक अनिवार्य हिस्सा बन गया है।

In modern homes, the laundry room has become an essential part.

Abstract discussion of home features.

धुलाईघर का डिज़ाइन कार्यक्षमता पर आधारित होना चाहिए।

The design of the laundry room should be based on functionality.

Using technical terms like 'kāryakshamtā'.

उन्होंने धुलाईघर को एक छोटे कार्यालय में बदल दिया।

They converted the laundry room into a small office.

Describing a transformation.

धुलाईघर में वेंटिलेशन का सही इंतज़ाम होना ज़रूरी है।

It is important to have a proper arrangement for ventilation in the laundry room.

Discussing requirements.

इस अपार्टमेंट में धुलाईघर बालकनी से जुड़ा हुआ है।

In this apartment, the laundry room is connected to the balcony.

Describing spatial relationships.

धुलाईघर की मरम्मत में काफी खर्च आएगा।

The renovation of the laundry room will incur a lot of expense.

Future tense with 'āegā'.

क्या आपने धुलाईघर के लिए नया डिटर्जेंट खरीदा?

Did you buy new detergent for the laundry room?

Past tense question.

धुलाईघर की फर्श गीली और फिसलन भरी हो सकती है।

The laundry room floor can be wet and slippery.

Describing potential hazards.

धुलाईघर का शांत वातावरण उसे सोचने का मौका देता है।

The quiet atmosphere of the laundry room gives her a chance to think.

Metaphorical/Psychological use.

शहरीकरण ने पारंपरिक धुलाई के तरीकों को धुलाईघर तक सीमित कर दिया है।

Urbanization has limited traditional washing methods to the laundry room.

Sociological commentary.

धुलाईघर की दीवारों पर सीलन के निशान उसकी उपेक्षा को दर्शाते हैं।

The damp marks on the laundry room walls reflect its neglect.

Descriptive literary style.

यद्यपि धुलाईघर छोटा है, पर इसकी उपयोगिता अपार है।

Although the laundry room is small, its utility is immense.

Complex conjunction 'yadyapi... par'.

धुलाईघर के शोर के बीच भी वह अपनी किताब पढ़ती रही।

Despite the noise of the laundry room, she continued reading her book.

Use of 'ke bīch bhī'.

वास्तु शास्त्र के अनुसार धुलाईघर की दिशा महत्वपूर्ण होती है।

According to Vastu Shastra, the direction of the laundry room is important.

Cultural/Technical reference.

धुलाईघर में पुरानी यादों का एक संदूक मिला।

An old trunk of memories was found in the laundry room.

Narrative storytelling.

तकनीकी प्रगति ने धुलाईघर को एक स्मार्ट रूम में बदल दिया है।

Technological progress has transformed the laundry room into a smart room.

Discussing modern trends.

धुलाईघर का अस्तित्व घरेलू श्रम के अदृश्य होने की कहानी बयां करता है।

The existence of the laundry room tells a story of the invisibility of domestic labor.

High-level philosophical/sociological analysis.

आधुनिक वास्तुकला में धुलाईघर को अब केवल एक सेवा क्षेत्र नहीं, बल्कि एक अनुभव माना जाता है।

In modern architecture, the laundry room is no longer considered just a service area, but an experience.

Complex sentence structure with 'nahīñ balki'.

धुलाईघर की मशीनी गूँज घर की जीवंतता का एक अभिन्न हिस्सा बन गई है।

The mechanical hum of the laundry room has become an integral part of the home's vitality.

Poetic and abstract language.

यदि धुलाईघर व्यवस्थित न हो, तो पूरे घर की व्यवस्था चरमरा सकती है।

If the laundry room is not organized, the entire household's order can collapse.

Conditional 'yadi... to' with abstract concepts.

धुलाईघर के विकास क्रम को देखना समाज के आर्थिक बदलावों को समझने जैसा है।

Observing the evolution of the laundry room is like understanding the economic changes of society.

Metaphorical comparison.

धुलाईघर की स्वच्छता गृहस्वामी की कुशलता का प्रतिबिंब होती है।

The cleanliness of the laundry room is a reflection of the homeowner's efficiency.

Aphoristic and formal style.

धुलाईघर में जल संचयन की प्रणालियाँ स्थापित करना समय की मांग है।

Installing water harvesting systems in the laundry room is the need of the hour.

Formal advocacy language.

धुलाईघर के एकांत में ही उसने अपने जीवन के सबसे बड़े निर्णय लिए।

It was in the solitude of the laundry room that he made the biggest decisions of his life.

Dramatic narrative focusing on setting.

Common Collocations

छोटा धुलाईघर

साफ धुलाईघर

धुलाईघर की मशीन

धुलाईघर की टोकरी

नया धुलाईघर

धुलाईघर का दरवाज़ा

धुलाईघर में कपड़े

धुलाईघर की सफाई

धुलाईघर का सिंक

धुलाईघर की लाइट

Common Phrases

धुलाईघर में जाओ

— Go to the laundry room.

धुलाईघर में जाओ और कपड़े लाओ।

धुलाईघर कहाँ है?

— Where is the laundry room?

क्षमा करें, धुलाईघर कहाँ है?

धुलाईघर की चाबी

— The key to the laundry room.

धुलाईघर की चाबी खो गई है।

धुलाईघर बहुत गंदा है

— The laundry room is very dirty.

धुलाईघर बहुत गंदा है, इसे साफ करो।

धुलाईघर में मशीन चल रही है

— The machine is running in the laundry room.

धुलाईघर में मशीन चल रही है, आवाज़ मत करो।

धुलाईघर की अलमारी

— The cupboard in the laundry room.

साबुन धुलाईघर की अलमारी में है।

धुलाईघर का फर्श

— The floor of the laundry room.

धुलाईघर का फर्श गीला है।

धुलाईघर से कपड़े लाना

— To bring clothes from the laundry room.

धुलाईघर से कपड़े लाना मत भूलना।

धुलाईघर को सजाना

— To decorate the laundry room.

वह धुलाईघर को सजाना चाहती है।

धुलाईघर की मरम्मत

— Renovation of the laundry room.

धुलाईघर की मरम्मत ज़रूरी है।

Often Confused With

धुलाईघर vs स्नानघर (snānghar)

Snānghar is for bathing; dhulāīghar is for clothes. Don't mix them up!

धुलाईघर vs धोबी घाट (dhobi ghat)

Dhobi ghat is a large, public, often outdoor washing area; dhulāīghar is a private room.

धुलाईघर vs डाकघर (ḍākghar)

Sounds similar because of the 'ghar' suffix, but means post office.

Idioms & Expressions

"धुलाईघर के गंदे कपड़े बाहर न निकालना"

— Don't wash your dirty linen in public (keep private matters private).

हमें अपने धुलाईघर के गंदे कपड़े बाहर नहीं निकालने चाहिए।

Metaphorical

"धुलाईघर जैसी गूँज"

— A constant, monotonous hum or noise.

उसकी आवाज़ धुलाईघर जैसी गूँज रही थी।

Descriptive/Informal

"धुलाईघर की सफाई"

— A thorough cleaning or purge (metaphorical).

कंपनी में अब धुलाईघर की सफाई की ज़रूरत है।

Business/Informal

"कपड़ों का धुलाईघर"

— A place of immense labor or repetitive work.

मेरा ऑफिस तो कपड़ों का धुलाईघर बन गया है।

Hyperbolic

"धुलाईघर का चूहा"

— Someone who stays in service areas or is always busy with chores.

वह तो धुलाईघर का चूहा बन गई है।

Informal/Slang

"धुलाईघर की नमी"

— A persistent, depressing atmosphere.

रिश्ते में धुलाईघर की नमी आ गई है।

Poetic

"धुलाईघर का रास्ता"

— The path of hard work or basic chores.

सफलता का रास्ता धुलाईघर से होकर जाता है।

Motivational

"धुलाईघर की टोकरी"

— A collection of unfinished tasks.

मेरी ईमेल इनबॉक्स धुलाईघर की टोकरी जैसी है।

Informal

"धुलाईघर का पानी"

— Something used and no longer valuable.

पुरानी यादें अब धुलाईघर के पानी जैसी हैं।

Metaphorical

"धुलाईघर की शांति"

— The silence after a big task is completed.

काम खत्म होने के बाद घर में धुलाईघर की शांति थी।

Descriptive

Easily Confused

धुलाईघर vs धुलाई

It's the first part of the word.

Dhulāī is the action of washing; dhulāīghar is the place.

कपड़ों की धुलाई अच्छी हुई।

धुलाईघर vs धोना

Root verb.

Dhona is the verb 'to wash'; dhulāīghar is the noun 'laundry room'.

मैं कपड़े धो रहा हूँ।

धुलाईघर vs धोबी

Related to washing.

Dhobi is the person (washerman); dhulāīghar is the room.

धोबी कपड़े ले गया।

धुलाईघर vs रसोईघर

Ends with 'ghar'.

Rasoi means kitchen; dhulāī means laundry.

रसोईघर में खाना बन रहा है।

धुलाईघर vs स्नानघर

Ends with 'ghar'.

Snān means bath; dhulāī means laundry.

स्नानघर में साबुन है।

Sentence Patterns

यह [Noun] है।

यह धुलाईघर है।

[Noun] कहाँ है?

धुलाईघर कहाँ है?

मैं [Noun] में हूँ।

मैं धुलाईघर में हूँ।

[Noun] [Adjective] है।

धुलाईघर साफ है।

[Noun] के पास [Object] है।

धुलाईघर के पास मशीन है।

[Noun] की [Property] [Adjective] है।

धुलाईघर की लाइट खराब है।

यद्यपि [Clause], फिर भी [Noun] [Clause]।

यद्यपि धुलाईघर छोटा है, फिर भी वह उपयोगी है।

[Noun] का [Abstract Concept] [Verb] है।

धुलाईघर का महत्व आधुनिक जीवन में बढ़ गया है।

Word Family

Nouns

धुलाई (washing)

घर (house)

धोबी (washerman)

धोबन (washerwoman)

धुलाईघर (laundry room)

Verbs

धोना (to wash)

धुलवाना (to cause to wash)

धुलना (to be washed)

Adjectives

धुला (washed)

अधुला (unwashed)

धुलाई-योग्य (washable)

साबुन (soap)

मशीन (machine)

कपड़े (clothes)

पानी (water)

सफाई (cleaning)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in urban environments and modern literature.

Common Mistakes

Using feminine adjectives. → बड़ा धुलाईघर (baṛā dhulāīghar)
Because 'ghar' is masculine, the whole compound is masculine. Avoid saying 'baṛī dhulāīghar'.
Confusing with 'snānghar'. → धुलाईघर (dhulāīghar)
Don't say 'snānghar' when you mean laundry room. Snānghar is for bathing.
Missing aspiration. → धुलाईघर (dhulāīghar)
Pronouncing it as 'dulaigar' makes it hard to understand. Ensure the 'h' sound is present in both 'dh' and 'gh'.
Using it for a shop. → लॉन्ड्री की दुकान (laundry kī dukān)
Dhulāīghar is a room in a house, not a commercial store.
Incorrect plural oblique. → धुलाईघरों में (dhulāīgharoñ meñ)
When using a postposition, the plural must end in '-oñ'. Avoid 'dhulāīghare meñ'.

Tips

Gender Rule

Always remember that compound words ending in 'Ghar' are masculine. This simplifies your adjective and verb choices significantly.

Action vs. Place

Distinguish between 'dhulāī' (the act) and 'dhulāīghar' (the place). One is an abstract noun/action, the other is a physical location.

Aspiration Practice

Practice the 'dh' in 'dhulāī' and 'gh' in 'ghar' separately. They are the most important sounds for native-like pronunciation.

Context Matters

In a very casual setting, people might just say 'washing area'. Use 'dhulāīghar' when you want to be specific about it being a room.

The 'Ghar' Family

Group 'dhulāīghar' with 'rasoīghar' (kitchen) and 'snānghar' (bathroom) to learn all major house rooms at once.

Spelling Tip

Note the 'ī' (ई) in the middle of 'dhulāīghar'. It's a long vowel that connects the two parts of the compound.

Suffix Recognition

Train your ear to catch the 'ghar' suffix. It's a huge clue that the speaker is talking about a specific type of room or building.

Interchangeability

Don't be afraid to use the English word 'laundry' if you forget 'dhulāīghar', but aim to use the Hindi word for better immersion.

Floor Plans

If you look at a Hindi floor plan, 'dhulāīghar' will often be near the 'rasoī' (kitchen) or 'balcony'.

Chore Lists

Label your laundry basket or laundry room door with 'धुलाईघर' to practice seeing the word every day.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Do-Lie-Ghar'. You 'Do' the laundry, the clothes 'Lie' in the basket, in the 'Ghar' (house).

Visual Association

Imagine a washing machine inside a small house-shaped room with a sign that says 'Dhulāī'.

Word Web

Washing Machine Detergent Basket Water Tap Dirty Clothes Clean Clothes Ironing Board Drying Rack

Challenge

Try to name five things you can find in a 'dhulāīghar' using Hindi words (e.g., sābun, kapṛe, pāni).

Word Origin

The word is a 'tatsam-tadbhava' hybrid compound. 'Dhulāī' comes from the Sanskrit root 'dhāv' (to wash/clean), and 'Ghar' comes from the Sanskrit 'gṛha' (house).

Original meaning: A place or house designated for the act of washing.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful not to confuse 'dhulāīghar' with 'dhobi ghat'; the latter can sometimes carry class-based connotations.

Equivalent to 'utility room' or 'laundry room' in Western homes.

The movie 'Dhobi Ghat' explores the traditional version of this space. Architectural magazines in India often feature 'Modern Dhulāīghar' designs. Hindi literature often uses the laundry area as a setting for domestic realism.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Home Description

मेरा धुलाईघर छोटा है।
धुलाईघर यहाँ है।
नया धुलाईघर।
साफ धुलाईघर।

Doing Chores

कपड़े धुलाईघर में डालो।
मशीन चलाओ।
साबुन कहाँ है?
कपड़े सूख गए।

Real Estate

अलग धुलाईघर।
यूटिलिटी बालकनी।
आधुनिक सुविधाएं।
नक्शा देखें।

Repairs

नल टपक रहा है।
मशीन खराब है।
पेंट करना है।
लाइट बदलो।

Hotel/Hospital

धोबीघर का रास्ता।
साफ चादरें।
लॉन्ड्री सर्विस।
कपड़े तैयार हैं।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपके घर में एक अलग धुलाईघर है?"

"आप धुलाईघर की सफाई कैसे करते हैं?"

"धुलाईघर में कौन सी मशीन सबसे अच्छी है?"

"क्या धुलाईघर रसोई के पास होना चाहिए?"

"धुलाईघर को व्यवस्थित रखने के लिए आपके पास क्या टिप्स हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने धुलाईघर में बहुत काम किया, उसके बारे में लिखें।

अपने सपनों के धुलाईघर का वर्णन करें।

पुराने समय में कपड़े धोने के तरीके और आज के धुलाईघर में क्या अंतर है?

धुलाईघर में काम करते समय आप क्या सोचते हैं?

अगर आपके घर में धुलाईघर न हो, तो आपको क्या परेशानियाँ होंगी?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is masculine because it ends in 'ghar', which is a masculine noun. You should use masculine adjectives like 'baṛā' (big) and possessives like 'merā' (my).

Yes, 'laundry' is widely understood in urban India. However, using 'dhulāīghar' sounds more natural when speaking pure Hindi or in formal settings.

'Dhulāīghar' is a general term for a laundry room. 'Dhobīghar' literally means 'washerman's house' and often refers to a commercial or large-scale washing facility.

You say 'Maiñ dhulāīghar meñ hūñ'. 'Meñ' means 'in' and 'hūñ' means 'am'.

In modern apartments, yes, there is usually a dedicated 'utility' area called a 'dhulāīghar'. In older or rural houses, washing might happen in the bathroom or outside.

Common items include a 'washing machine' (वॉशिंग मशीन), 'detergent' (डिटर्जेंट/साबुन), 'basket' (टोकरी), and 'water' (पानी).

It is spelled as धुलाईघर.

The plural remains 'dhulāīghar' in the direct case, but becomes 'dhulāīgharoñ' when used with postpositions like 'meñ' or 'se'.

It is a standard, neutral word. It's formal enough for writing but common enough for daily speech.

No, a dry cleaner's shop is usually called a 'laundry shop' or 'dry cleaner kī dukān'. 'Dhulāīghar' specifically refers to a room inside a building.