nettoyer
/nɛ.twa.je/
To clean in French is nettoyer. Wiktionary also lists poutzer.
Meaning: (transitive) to remove dirt from a place or object (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nettoyer | /nɛ.twa.je/ /ne.twa.je/ |
|
| poutzer | /put.se/ | Switzerland |
The verb nettoyer is a transitive verb used to describe the action of removing dirt from a place or an object.
Which one should you use?
While nettoyer is used for cleaning an object or surface, the verb laver is more specific to washing with water and soap, such as when referring to bodies or clothes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the verb poutzer is used to mean to clean or tidy up.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative form of nettoyer is nettoie, and its past participle is nettoyé.
How do you pronounce it?
nettoyer is pronounced /nɛ.twa.je/ and has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use the adjective propre (which means 'clean') when you actually intend to use the verb nettoyer (to clean).
Did you know?
- The word nettoyer evolved through a process called restructuring, where the Old French noiier was modified to better match the adjective net.
- The verb poutzer is actually a linguistic traveler from German, where the word putzen means 'to clean'.
- In some contexts, nettoyer is used colloquially to describe 'clearing out' a room or a place of people or objects.
Examples in context
- Je vais le nettoyer.I'll clean it up.The first sentence uses nettoyer to express the intent to clean something.Tatoeba #5366455 by Aiji, translation #2549354 by CK
- Je n'aime pas nettoyer.I don't like to clean.The second sentence uses nettoyer to express a dislike for the act of cleaning.Tatoeba #2398200 by sacredceltic, translation #2396085 by CK
- Il me faut nettoyer cela.I have to clean that up.The third sentence uses nettoyer to express a necessity to clean something.Tatoeba #2370529 by sacredceltic, translation #2362104 by CK
- La maison est propre.The house is clean.
- Vous devez garder votre bureau propre.You must keep your desk clean.
- La salle de bains est toujours nette.The bathroom is always clean.
- Veuillez vous assurer que vos vêtements sont nets.Please ensure your clothes are clean.
- Ma chambre est toujours rangée.My room is always clean.
- Ils aiment garder leur cuisine bien rangée.They like to keep their kitchen clean and tidy.
- Je dois nettoyer ma voiture, elle n'est pas très propre en ce moment.I need to clean my car, it's not very clean at the moment.
- Tes vêtements doivent être propres avant la soirée.Your clothes should be clean before the party.
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are in their kitchen at home.
- HugoJe dois nettoyer la table.I must clean the table.
- EmmaJe vais t'aider à nettoyer.I will help you clean.
- HugoMerci, Emma, c'est gentil.Thanks, Emma, that is kind.
- EmmaOn va finir vite.We will finish quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean” translations and entries nettoyer, poutzer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nettoyer, poutzer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
