tooth brushing
das Zähneputzen
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tooth brushing
The process of cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste in order to keep them healthy and remove plaque.
Vergiss das Zähneputzen vor dem Schlafengehen nicht!
Don't forget to brush your teeth before going to bed!
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Zähneputzens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Zähneputzen | – |
| accusative | das Zähneputzen | – |
| dative | dem Zähneputzen | – |
| genitive | des Zähneputzens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Zähneputzen' (tooth brushing) is a nominalized verb. It comes from the activity 'Zähne putzen' (to brush one's teeth). Such nouns formed from an infinitive are always neuter in German and take the article 'das'.
Das schnelle Autofahren auf dieser Straße ist gefährlich.
Driving fast on this road is dangerous.
The noun 'das Zähneputzen' (tooth brushing) is used to talk about the activity in general. If you want to say that a person is performing the action, you use the verb construction 'sich die Zähne putzen' (to brush one's teeth).
Das Zähneputzen ist ein wichtiger Teil der Morgenroutine.
Brushing your teeth is an important part of the morning routine.
The noun is very often used with temporal prepositions to place the activity within a daily routine. Typical phrases are 'beim', 'vor dem', and 'nach dem' Zähneputzen (while/before/after brushing your teeth).
Nach dem Zähneputzen solltest du nichts Süßes mehr essen.
After brushing your teeth, you shouldn't eat anything sweet.
