die Bettwäsche
bed linen
The complete set of textile covers for bedding, that is, for the blanket and pillow.
EXAMPLE
Ich liebe den Geruch von frisch gewaschener Bettwäsche.
I love the smell of freshly washed bed linen.
die Bettwäsche
bed linen
die Bettwäsche, die Bettwäschen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Bettwäsche, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Bettwäschen |
| genitive | der Bettwäsche |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Bettwäsche | die Bettwäschen |
| accusative | die Bettwäsche | die Bettwäschen |
| dative | der Bettwäsche | den Bettwäschen |
| genitive | der Bettwäsche | der Bettwäschen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Bettwäsche' is a compound noun made from 'das Bett' (the bed) and 'die Wäsche' (laundry/linen). It literally means 'laundry for the bed' and refers to the covers for pillows and blankets.
EXAMPLE
Am Samstag ist Waschtag für die ganze Bettwäsche.
Saturday is laundry day for all the bed linen.
Always singular
'Bettwäsche' (bed linen) is a collective term and is almost always used in the singular, even when talking about several sets. If you want to emphasize the number, you say 'eine Garnitur Bettwäsche' (one set of bed linen) or 'zwei Garnituren Bettwäsche' (two sets of bed linen).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir zwei neue Garnituren Bettwäsche gekauft.
I bought myself two new sets of bed linen.
Typical verbs
In everyday life, 'Bettwäsche' (bed linen) is often combined with certain verbs: You can 'wechseln' (change), 'abziehen' (strip off), '(frisch) beziehen' (put fresh linen on), or 'waschen' (wash) the bed linen.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du mir helfen, das Bett frisch zu beziehen?
Could you help me put fresh linen on the bed?
Alle zwei Wochen wechsle ich die Bettwäsche.
I change the bed linen every two weeks.
In real life
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