to clean
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to clean
To clean something thoroughly and remove dirt, rubbish, or unwanted elements from it. It often implies a more careful and complete cleaning than 'putzen' (to clean).
Die Freiwilligen halfen dabei, den Strand vom Müll zu säubern.
The volunteers helped clean the beach of trash.
to purge
In a figurative, often negative sense, to rid an area or organization of unwanted people or influences. This use often has political or military connotations and is referred to as a 'Säuberung' (purge).
Das Regime versuchte, die Verwaltung von allen kritischen Stimmen zu säubern.
The regime tried to purge the administration of all critical voices.
The verb 'säubern' (to clean) is derived directly from the adjective 'sauber' (clean). It literally means 'to make clean'. This derivation is a common way to form verbs in German.
Nach dem Kochen muss die Küche wieder sauber sein.
After cooking, the kitchen has to be clean again.
If you want to say exactly what something is being cleaned of, you use the preposition 'von' with the dative. The structure is: etwas (accusative) von etwas (dative) säubern.
Der Arzt säuberte die Wunde von Schmutz und kleinen Steinen.
The doctor cleaned the wound of dirt and small stones.
The figurative meaning 'to remove people' can be recognized from the context. It is used almost only in political, military, or criminal contexts. The object being purged is then an organization or an area, not a dirty object.
In dem Film will der Diktator die Armee von unloyalen Offizieren säubern.
In the film, the dictator wants to purge the army of disloyal officers.
In this figurative sense, 'säubern' (to purge) is a very negatively charged word. It is often used as a euphemism for violent persecution, expulsion, or even killing. The related noun is 'die Säuberung' (the purge).
Historiker beschreiben die politischen Säuberungen in der Diktatur.
Historians describe the political purges in the dictatorship.
to clean
Both putzen and säubern can mean removing dirt. Säubern places more emphasis on thorough and, if possible, complete cleaning, while putzen can also refer to normal everyday cleaning. Use putzen for routine housework and säubern when visible dirt needs to be removed especially thoroughly.
Vor dem Einzug säubere ich die Küche gründlich von allen Schmutzresten.
Before moving in, I thoroughly clean the kitchen, removing all traces of dirt.
Ich putze jeden Samstag die Küche.
I clean the kitchen every Saturday.
