gewaschen
washed
Cleaned by washing.
EXAMPLE
Die frisch gewaschenen Handtücher liegen im Schrank.
The freshly washed towels are in the cupboard.
gewaschen
washed
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Meanings
sich gewaschen haben
to be something else
Colloquial: to be particularly intense, severe, or impressive. The expression often indicates that something was unpleasant or difficult to deal with.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef verpasste ihm eine Standpauke, die sich gewaschen hatte.
The boss gave him a dressing-down that was really something else.
mit allen Wassern gewaschen sein
to be a seasoned operator
To be very experienced and skilled at achieving one's own goals, including through the use of tricks.
EXAMPLE
Bei den Verhandlungen musst du aufpassen, denn dieser Händler ist mit allen Wassern gewaschen.
You have to be careful during the negotiations because this dealer is a seasoned operator.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry gewaschen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | gewaschen |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to gewaschen.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to gewaschen.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to gewaschen.
Usage tips
Adjectival use
'Gewaschen' (washed) is the participle of the verb 'waschen' (to wash) and can describe a state when used as an adjective. It either comes before a noun or after 'sein' (to be), in which case it usually refers to something that has been cleaned.
EXAMPLE
Die gewaschenen Hemden hängen zum Trocknen auf dem Balkon.
The washed shirts are hanging on the balcony to dry.
Nach dem Waschen ist das Gemüse gründlich gewaschen.
After washing, the vegetables are thoroughly washed.
Fixed expression
In the colloquial expression 'sich gewaschen haben' (to be something else), 'gewaschen' (washed) does not refer to actual cleaning. The expression follows a noun or describes a situation and emphasizes that something was particularly intense, difficult, or impressive.
EXAMPLE
Die Prüfung heute hat sich gewaschen.
Today's exam was really something else.
Der Sturm gestern hatte sich gewaschen.
Yesterday's storm was really something else.
Idiom
In 'mit allen Wassern gewaschen sein' (to be a seasoned operator), 'gewaschen' (washed) is part of a fixed idiom. It is used for someone who is very experienced and skilled and can also get their way through the use of tricks.
EXAMPLE
Unsere neue Anwältin ist mit allen Wassern gewaschen.
Our new lawyer is a seasoned operator.
Unterschätze den alten Geschäftsmann nicht; er ist mit allen Wassern gewaschen.
Don't underestimate the old businessman; he's a seasoned operator.
In real life
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