der Abwasch
dishwashing
The activity of washing used dishes, cutlery, and cooking utensils.
EXAMPLE
Wer ist heute mit dem Abwasch dran?
Whose turn is it to do the dishes today?
der Abwasch
dishwashing / dirty dishes
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Meanings
der Abwasch
dirty dishes
All the dirty dishes that need to be washed.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Feier stand der ganze Abwasch in der Küche.
After the party, all the dirty dishes were sitting in the kitchen.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Der Abwasch' is the nominalization of the separable verb 'abwaschen' (to wash up / to wash the dishes). So it describes either the result or the action of this verb.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Kochen müssen wir noch abwaschen.
After cooking, we still have to wash the dishes.
Fixed expression
The most common and important combination in everyday life is 'den Abwasch machen' (to do the dishes). This expression means to wash the dishes.
EXAMPLE
Ich koche heute das Abendessen, machst du dann den Abwasch?
I'm cooking dinner today; will you do the dishes afterward?
Used in the singular
The word 'Abwasch' is used almost exclusively in the singular. This also applies when talking about a large amount of dirty dishes.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Party hatten wir unglaublich viel Abwasch.
After the party, we had an incredible amount of dirty dishes.
Context clue
When 'der Abwasch' refers to the activity, it is often combined with verbs like 'machen' (to do), 'erledigen' (to take care of), or 'übernehmen' (to take over). When it refers to the dirty dishes, verbs like 'stehen' (to be standing/sitting), 'sich stapeln' (to pile up), or 'haben' (to have) are typical.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Abwasch erledigen?
Can you please take care of the dishes?
Compare with
Abwasch vs spülen
to wash / rinse / flush
Spülen describes the activity as a verb, while Abwasch is the colloquial noun for this activity. Abwasch can also refer to the dirty dishes themselves. Use spülen for the action and Abwasch when you mean the task or the dishes that still need to be washed.
Abwasch
Nach dem Essen wartet in der Küche noch der Abwasch auf mich.
After the meal, I still have the dishes to wash in the kitchen.
spülen
Nach dem Essen muss ich noch das Geschirr spülen.
After the meal, I still have to wash the dishes.
In real life
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