die Wäscherei
laundry
A business where clothing and other textiles are professionally washed, dried, and ironed.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss meinen Anzug in die Wäscherei bringen.
I have to take my suit to the laundry.
die Wäscherei
laundry / laundry room
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Meanings
die Wäscherei
laundry room
A room in a building or apartment that is equipped with a washing machine and dryer for doing laundry.
EXAMPLE
Die Waschmaschine steht unten im Keller in der gemeinsamen Wäscherei.
The washing machine is downstairs in the basement in the shared laundry room.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'die Wäsche' (laundry) and the ending '-erei'. The ending '-erei' often refers to a place where a certain activity is carried out or a trade is located, as in 'Bäckerei' (bakery) or 'Metzgerei' (butcher's shop).
EXAMPLE
Neben der Bäckerei hat eine neue Wäscherei aufgemacht.
A new laundry has opened next to the bakery.
Preposition and case
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. If you bring something there, use the accusative for direction. If something is already there, use the dative for location.
EXAMPLE
Er bringt die Tischdecken in die Wäscherei.
He takes the tablecloths to the laundry.
Context clue
Context tells you whether a shop (meaning 1) or a room in the house (meaning 2) is meant. People speak of a 'gemeinsame Wäscherei im Keller' (shared laundry room in the basement) in an apartment building. When you 'in die Wäscherei bringt' (take clothing to the laundry), a professional business is usually meant.
EXAMPLE
Meine Hemden lasse ich immer in der Wäscherei reinigen.
I always have my shirts cleaned at the laundry.
Typical collocations
When referring to the service, typical formulations are 'etwas in die Wäscherei bringen' (to take something to the laundry) to have it cleaned, and 'etwas aus der Wäscherei abholen' (to pick something up from the laundry) when it is ready.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss heute noch mein Jackett aus der Wäscherei abholen.
I still have to pick up my jacket from the laundry today.
Compare with
Wäscherei vs Reinigung
cleaning
A Reinigung and a Wäscherei are both businesses that professionally handle textiles. Reinigung typically refers to general textile cleaning, often dry cleaning, while Wäscherei mainly washes, dries, and irons. Choose “Reinigung” for delicate clothing and “Wäscherei” when having laundry washed.
Wäscherei
Die Wäscherei wäscht, trocknet und bügelt unsere Bettwäsche.
The laundry washes, dries, and irons our bed linen.
Reinigung
Ich bringe den empfindlichen Anzug in die Reinigung.
I’m taking the delicate suit to the dry cleaner’s.
In real life
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