01
clean
Colloquial for the state of not using illegal drugs anymore.
example
Nach einem schweren Entzug ist er jetzt seit drei Jahren clean.
After a difficult withdrawal, he has now been clean for three years.
clean
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Usually unchanged
The adjective 'clean' is usually used predicatively, meaning after a noun with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to remain). It is not declined. Attributive use before the noun is rare and is more likely in a design context.
EXAMPLE
Er ist stolz darauf, seit zwei Jahren clean zu sein.
He is proud to have been clean for two years.
Anglicism with a special meaning
'Clean' is a word from English that is used in German only for the specific meanings 'drug-free' or 'minimalist'. It is not a general replacement for 'sauber' (clean).
EXAMPLE
Ich mag den cleanen Look von skandinavischen Möbeln.
I like the clean look of Scandinavian furniture.
Person or design?
The context makes the meaning clear. If 'clean' refers to a person, it is about abstaining from drugs. If it refers to an object, a room, or a style, the meaning is 'simple' or 'minimalist'.
EXAMPLE
Es ist ein langer Weg, clean zu werden und zu bleiben.
It is a long road to become and stay clean.
Compare with
clean vs klar
clear
'klar' and 'clean' can both be used for design or style when something seems calm, well organized, and not overloaded. 'klar' mainly emphasizes that something is easy to understand or recognize. 'clean' is more colloquial and, in design, means simple, minimalist, and without unnecessary details. They can be confused because a clean design often also seems clear. In practice: when it is about understandability, 'klar' fits better. When it is about a modern, simple style, 'clean' sounds more natural.
clean
Das Logo wirkt clean, weil es nur aus einfachen Linien besteht.
The logo looks clean because it consists only of simple lines.
klar
Die neue Webseite ist klar aufgebaut, deshalb findet man die Informationen schnell.
The new website is clearly structured, so you can find the information quickly.
In real life
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