01
sauber
clean
Free from dirt, stains, or impurities. The opposite of dirty.
example
Nach dem Putzen war die ganze Wohnung wieder sauber.
After cleaning, the whole apartment was clean again.
sauber
clean
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'sauber' (clean) belongs to the word family around the verb 'säubern' (to clean something) and the noun 'die Sauberkeit' (cleanliness). All the words relate to the idea of purity or cleanliness.
EXAMPLE
Die Reinigungskraft hat das ganze Büro gesäubert.
The cleaner cleaned the whole office.
Typical collocations
In its basic meaning, 'sauber' (clean) is often combined with everyday things that should be clean. Typical examples are 'saubere Wäsche' (clean laundry), 'sauberes Wasser' (clean water), or 'saubere Hände' (clean hands).
EXAMPLE
Bitte wasch dir vor dem Essen die Hände, damit sie sauber sind.
Please wash your hands before eating so they are clean.
Adverbial use
In the meaning of 'präzise' (precise), 'sauber' (cleanly/precisely) is often used as an adverb to describe the quality of an action. It then stands directly with the verb.
EXAMPLE
Der Chirurg hat den Schnitt sehr sauber ausgeführt.
The surgeon made the incision very cleanly.
Use in the negative
The moral meaning of 'sauber' (clean) is very often used in the negative to criticize unfair or dishonest actions. Watch for phrases like 'kein sauberes Spiel' (not a fair game) or 'nicht sauber' (not clean/not honest).
EXAMPLE
Sei vorsichtig, das ist keine saubere Angelegenheit.
Be careful, this is not a clean matter.
Compare with
sauber vs genau
exact / precise
'genau' and 'sauber' can be similar when talking about careful work. 'genau' emphasizes that something is exact and without deviation, for example a measurement, an answer, or a description. In this context, 'sauber' means that something was carried out neatly, clearly, and carefully, especially in craftsmanship, writing, or technology. 'sauber' can also mean 'not dirty', but that meaning is not meant here. For numbers and facts, 'genau' is more natural; for the quality of how something is carried out, 'sauber' is often suitable.
sauber
Der Mitarbeiter hat die Kabel sauber verlegt.
The employee laid the cables neatly.
genau
Jonas misst das Regal genau, damit es später in die Ecke passt.
Jonas measures the shelf precisely so that it will fit in the corner later.
In real life
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