German word

abwaschen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌvaʃn̩/

Meaning

  • verbwash dishes

Example

Ich wasche das Geschirr ab.

I am washing the dishes.

Illustration for abwaschen (wash dishes)

More examples

Er hat das Glas schon abgewaschen.

He has already washed the glass.

Core concept

A hand works water and detergent over a dirty plate, lifting grime and carrying it away.

Common phrases

  • das Geschirr abwaschen

    wash the dishes

  • das Besteck abwaschen

    wash the cutlery

  • die Teller abwaschen

    wash the plates

Similar words

spülen: Rinsing away soap or dirt with water.
waschen: Washing something with water or detergent to get rid of dirt.
abspülen: Rinsing dirt and soap from a dish with water.
abtrocknen: Drying wet dishes by removing their moisture with a cloth or machine.

Definition in German

Trennbares Verb für das Reinigen von Geschirr und ähnlichen Gegenständen mit Wasser und Reinigungsmittel, wobei Schmutz entfernt wird.

Word origin

Abwaschen combines separable ab-, marking removal or away, with waschen, "to wash," so it means washing something clean or washing dirt off.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, abwaschen splits: "Ich wasche das Geschirr ab"; with a modal, it stays together: "Ich muss das Geschirr abwaschen".

Other meanings

  • wash offverb
  • rinse offverb

Opposites

Related words

  • abwaschbarwashableadjective
  • abgewaschenwashedadjective

Word lists with this word