die Wäsche
laundry
Clothing, towels, bedding, and similar items that need to be washed, are currently being washed, or are already clean.
EXAMPLE
Am Samstag muss ich unbedingt die Wäsche machen.
On Saturday I absolutely have to do the laundry.
die Wäsche
laundry
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Meanings
die Wäsche
underwear / nightwear
A term for underwear and nightwear.
EXAMPLE
Für die Reise packte sie nur leichte Kleider und neue Wäsche ein.
For the trip, she packed only light dresses and new underwear.
Usage tips
Always singular
The word 'Wäsche' (laundry) is almost always used only in the singular, even when it refers to many pieces of clothing. You say 'viel Wäsche' (a lot of laundry) or 'ein Berg Wäsche' (a mountain of laundry), but not 'viele Wäschen'.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe am Wochenende die ganze Wäsche gewaschen.
I washed all the laundry over the weekend.
Word family
'Die Wäsche' (laundry) is the noun related to the verb 'waschen' (to wash). It describes both the clothing that needs to be washed and the act of washing itself in the phrase 'Wäsche waschen' (to do laundry).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir helfen, die nasse Wäsche aufzuhängen?
Can you help me hang up the wet laundry?
Typical collocations
In everyday life, 'Wäsche' (laundry) is often combined with verbs that describe the whole process: Wäsche machen/waschen (to do/wash laundry), Wäsche aufhängen/trocknen (to hang up/dry laundry), and Wäsche zusammenlegen/bügeln (to fold/iron laundry).
EXAMPLE
Der riesige Berg schmutziger Wäsche wartet auf mich.
The huge mountain of dirty laundry is waiting for me.
Context clue
The meaning 'Unterwäsche' (underwear) is usually recognized from context. When someone is packing clothes for a trip, shopping in a fashion store, or talking about 'schöner Wäsche' (beautiful lingerie/underwear), it often means underwear.
EXAMPLE
Im Kaufhaus gibt es eine ganze Abteilung nur für Damenwäsche.
In the department store, there is a whole section just for women's underwear.
Compare with
Wäsche vs Kleidung
clothing
Both words can refer to things worn on the body. „Kleidung“ means the clothes someone wears as a whole, while „Wäsche“ refers to the same or similar items in connection with washing. „Kleidung“ fits when talking generally about what someone wears; „Wäsche“ fits when washing or clean items are involved.
Wäsche
Für die Reise legte sie die frisch gewaschene Wäsche in den Koffer.
She packed the freshly washed laundry in the suitcase for the trip.
Kleidung
Für die Reise legte sie ihre Kleidung in den Koffer.
She packed her clothes in the suitcase for the trip.
In real life
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