reinigen
/ˈʁaɪ̯niɡən/
The English verb to clean is expressed in German as reinigen. Wiktionary also lists säubern and putzen.
Meaning: (transitive) to remove dirt from a place or object (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| reinigen | /ˈʁaɪ̯niɡən/ | |
| säubern | /ˈzɔʏ̯bəʁn/ /ˈsɔʏ̯bɛʁn/ |
|
| putzen | /ˈpʊt͡sn̩/ | |
| abbuddse | Alemannic German |
The verbs in this group are used to describe the action of removing dirt from an object or a place. If you need to speak about cleaning products, you can use the compound noun Reinigungsprodukte.
Which one should you use?
reinigen is used for more formal, technical or professional cleaning processes, such as cleaning a machine or a wound. säubern implies a more thorough or sanitary cleaning than putzen, often used in the context of making something hygienic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
abbuddse is a dialectal form used in Alemannic-speaking regions (such as parts of Southern Germany or Switzerland).
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁaɪ̯niɡən/
Did you know?
- The verb putzen is used in the idiomatic expression sich putzen, which means to dress up or make oneself fancy.
- While a learner might use putzen for any cleaning task, in a casual setting, telling a child to Zähne putzen (clean teeth) is the standard way to describe brushing.
- While putzen means 'to clean', it is also used in the phrase die Schuhe putzen for polishing shoes.
Examples in context
- Sami muss das Bad putzen.Sami has to clean the bathroom.This sentence demonstrates the use of putzen for cleaning a bathroom.Tatoeba #11360685 by mayabe, translation #7237399 by OsoHombre
- Er muss die Wohnung putzen.He has to clean the flat.This sentence shows putzen being used for cleaning a flat.Tatoeba #6776827 by ruth_tatoeba, translation #12356264 by sundown
- Ich werde die Küche putzen.I'll clean the kitchen.This sentence illustrates putzen used for cleaning a kitchen.Tatoeba #7743086 by brauchinet, translation #10573182 by sundown
- Die Räume sind sauberThe rooms are clean
- Ich muss mich sauber haltenI have to keep myself clean
- Sie ist eine sehr reinliche PersonShe is a very clean person
- Das Zimmer ist sauberThe room is clean
- Bleib bitte sauber!Please stay clean!
- Deine Wohnung ist wirklich ordentlichYour apartment is really clean
- Ich muss noch das Badezimmer saubermachenI still have to clean the bathroom
- Wir sollten das Auto saubermachenWe should clean the car
- Das Haus ist immer sehr sauber und ordentlich.The house is always very clean and tidy.
- Kannst du bitte die Fenster saubermachen?Can you please clean the windows?
- 70 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are talking about their shared kitchen.
- SarahWann wirst du endlich die Kaffeemaschine reinigen?When will you finally clean the coffee machine?
- LukasIch mache das heute Abend, Sarah.I will do that tonight, Sarah.
- SarahBitte reinige sie gründlich mit Wasser.Please clean it thoroughly with water.
- LukasKeine Sorge, ich erledige das.Don't worry, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean” translations and entries reinigen, säubern, putzen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
