01
putzen
to clean
To remove dirt from something; to clean or make something clean, usually by wiping, scrubbing, or sweeping.
example
Jeden Samstagmorgen putze ich die ganze Wohnung.
Every Saturday morning I clean the whole apartment.
putzen
to clean
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
Be careful: 'putzen' means 'reinigen' (to clean) and not 'hinstellen' (to put). This is a very common mistake for English speakers.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende muss ich die Fenster putzen.
At the weekend I have to clean the windows.
Dative construction
The phrase 'sich die Zähne putzen' (to brush one's teeth) uses a dative: the reflexive pronoun 'sich' shows whose teeth they are. The person is in the dative, and the teeth are in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich putze mir die Zähne nach dem Essen.
I brush my teeth after eating.
Fixed expression
The expression 'jemandem eine putzen' (to slap someone) is a fixed expression. The word 'eine' here is a pronoun and refers to 'eine Ohrfeige' (a slap in the face). The person being hit is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde so wütend, dass er seinem Gegner eine geputzt hat.
He got so angry that he slapped his opponent.
Register
The meaning 'jemanden schlagen' (to hit someone) is very colloquial. This expression is used only in informal situations.
EXAMPLE
Sei nicht so frech, sonst putz ich dir eine!
Don't be so cheeky, or I'll slap you!
Typical collocations
In the general meaning of cleaning, 'putzen' is often combined with rooms or areas in the house. Typical examples are: 'die Wohnung putzen' (to clean the apartment), 'das Bad putzen' (to clean the bathroom), 'die Küche putzen' (to clean the kitchen).
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten heute das ganze Haus putzen.
We should clean the whole house today.
Context clue
When 'putzen' is used in the context of food, it means 'vorbereiten' (to prepare). You can recognize this meaning from objects such as vegetables, salad, or mushrooms.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss noch schnell den Salat für das Abendessen putzen.
I still have to quickly prepare the salad for dinner.
Context clue
In the meaning 'polieren' (to polish), 'putzen' usually refers to valuable objects made of metal. Typical contexts are silver, cutlery, or jewelry.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Festessen hat sie das gute Silberbesteck geputzt.
Before the festive meal, she polished the good silver cutlery.
Compare with
putzen vs machen
to do / make
'machen' and 'putzen' can both mean that something becomes clean or tidy. Here, 'machen' is very general and often needs a suitable object or extra word, for example 'das Zimmer machen' (to do / clean the room) or 'sauber machen' (to clean). 'putzen' is more precise: you remove dirt, often by wiping, scrubbing, or sweeping. Learners may confuse the words because in everyday life you sometimes hear both in connection with housework. When dirt is the focus, 'putzen' is more natural. When you mean tidiness or cleanliness in general, 'machen' can fit.
putzen
Nach dem Frühstück putzt Tom den Küchentisch.
After breakfast, Tom cleans the kitchen table.
machen
Vor dem Besuch mache ich noch schnell das Bad sauber.
Before the visit, I'll quickly clean the bathroom.
In real life
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