die Reinigung
cleaning
The process in which dirt, dust, or stains are removed in order to make something clean.
EXAMPLE
Die wöchentliche Reinigung der Wohnung dauert immer zwei Stunden.
The weekly cleaning of the apartment always takes two hours.
die Reinigung
cleaning
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Meanings
die Reinigung
dry cleaner's
A shop or business where clothing and other textiles are professionally cleaned, often through dry cleaning.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss meinen Anzug in die Reinigung bringen, weil er einen Fleck hat.
I need to take my suit to the dry cleaner's because it has a stain.
die Reinigung
purification
The technical or chemical process in which a substance is freed from unwanted substances or impurities.
EXAMPLE
Die Reinigung des Abwassers ist ein komplexer Prozess.
The purification of wastewater is a complex process.
Usage tips
Word structure
The noun 'die Reinigung' (cleaning) is derived from the verb 'reinigen' (to clean). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun that describes the process or result of the action.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du bitte das schmutzige Geschirr reinigen?
Could you please clean the dirty dishes?
Action or place?
Pay attention to the context to know whether the activity of cleaning or the shop is meant. When people say 'in die Reinigung bringen' (to take to the dry cleaner's) or 'aus der Reinigung abholen' (to pick up from the dry cleaner's), they always mean the shop.
EXAMPLE
Die Reinigung des Badezimmers ist heute deine Aufgabe.
Cleaning the bathroom is your task today.
Types of cleaning
When it refers to the process of cleaning, 'Reinigung' (cleaning) is often combined with adjectives that describe the type. Common examples are 'chemische Reinigung' (dry cleaning), 'gründliche Reinigung' (thorough cleaning), or 'tägliche Reinigung' (daily cleaning).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Party war eine gründliche Reinigung der ganzen Wohnung nötig.
After the party, a thorough cleaning of the whole apartment was necessary.
Correct preposition
When 'die Reinigung' refers to a shop, it is used like other places. You take clothes 'in die Reinigung' (to the dry cleaner's; accusative) and pick them up 'aus der Reinigung' (from the dry cleaner's; dative).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss morgen meinen Anzug aus der Reinigung abholen.
I need to pick up my suit from the dry cleaner's tomorrow.
Technical usage
In technical or scientific contexts, 'Reinigung' (purification/cleaning) means freeing a substance from foreign matter. For example, people speak of 'Wasserreinigung' (water purification) or 'Reinigung von Rohöl' (purification of crude oil).
EXAMPLE
Die Kläranlage ist für die Reinigung der städtischen Abwässer zuständig.
The sewage treatment plant is responsible for the purification of the city's wastewater.
Compare with
Reinigung vs Klärung
clarification / purification
For liquids, both words can refer to a process of removing impurities. “Reinigung” is the general term for freeing something from unwanted substances, while “Klärung” specifically refers to removing solid or suspended substances. Use “Reinigung” for the entire process and “Klärung” for this particular step.
Reinigung
Die Reinigung des Abwassers umfasst mehrere Schritte und entfernt verschiedene Verunreinigungen.
Wastewater purification involves several steps and removes various impurities.
Klärung
Bei der Klärung des Abwassers werden feste Stoffe aus der Flüssigkeit entfernt.
During wastewater clarification, solids are removed from the liquid.
In real life
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