Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kleidung | /ˈklaɪ̯dʊŋ/ | feminine |
| Kleider | /ˈklaɪ̯dɐ/ | neuter, plural |
| Anziehsachen | /ˈantsiˌzaxən/ | feminine, plural |
| Klamotten | feminine, informal, plural |
Kleidung is the standard term for apparel in a general sense, while Kleider can refer specifically to dresses or a collection of garments. More casual options include Anziehsachen and the informal term Klamotten.
What does it mean word for word?
The plural form Kleider can mean both "dresses" and "clothes" (in older or poetic contexts).
Which one should you use?
Kleidung is a singular mass noun used for apparel in a general or formal sense. In contrast, Kleider refers specifically to dresses or a collection of garments. Klamotten is a colloquial way to say clothes, similar to saying "threads" or "gear" in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Klamotten is an informal term for clothes. The term Klamotte is considered slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swiss German, Chleider is commonly used instead of Kleidung. In Bavaria, you might hear the term Gwand instead of Klamotte.
How does it change in a sentence?
Kleidung is a feminine singular noun. Kleider is a neuter plural noun. Anziehsachen is a feminine plural noun. Klamotten is a plural neuter noun, though the singular slang form Klamotte is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈklaɪ̯dʊŋ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because the English word "clothes" is plural, English speakers often mistakenly treat Kleidung as a plural noun. However, in German, Kleidung is a singular feminine noun.
Did you know?
- In traditional German culture, the Tracht is a specific type of regional 'clothes' that functions as a social marker of identity and origin.
- The Bavarian word Gwand shares the same root as the English word 'garment'.
- While Kleider can mean 'dresses', it is also used in the compound Kleiderschrank to mean a 'wardrobe' for all types of clothes.
Examples in context
- Wo ist deine Kleidung?Where are your clothes?This sentence demonstrates how to ask for the location of someone's Kleidung.Tatoeba #1712639 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1635405 by Amastan
- Wo ist meine Kleidung?Where are my clothes?This sentence demonstrates how to ask for the location of one's own Kleidung.Tatoeba #7413083 by Yorwba, translation #1996856 by Spamster
- Tom trug warme Kleidung.Tom wore warm clothes.This sentence shows the use of Kleidung to describe what someone was wearing.Tatoeba #13865095 by mhr, translation #10625108 by Hybrid
- Ich habe meine Kleidung im Schrank aufbewahrt.I have kept my clothes in the wardrobe.
- Lass uns ins Einkaufszentrum gehen, ich brauche neue Klamotten.Let's go to the mall, I need new clothes.
- Ich liebe deinen Style! Wo kaufst du solche coolen Klamotten?I love your style! Where do you buy such cool clothes?
- 423 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are packing for a trip.
- LukasHast du genug Kleidung eingepackt?Did you pack enough clothes?
- HannahJa, ich habe genug Kleidung dabei.Yes, I have enough clothes with me.
- LukasWir brauchen auch warme Kleidung für die Berge.We also need warm clothes for the mountains.
- HannahStimmt, ich nehme noch eine Jacke mit.True, I'll take another jacket.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clothes” translations and entries Kleidung, Kleider, Anziehsachen, Klamotten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
