Waschsalon
[ˈvaʃzaˌlɔŋ]masculine
The English phrase launderette is translated into German as Waschsalon. Wiktionary also lists Münzwäscherei.
Meaning: place with facilities for washing that public may use (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waschsalon | [ˈvaʃzaˌlɔŋ] (narrow) | masculine |
| Münzwäscherei | feminine |
The term refers to a place with facilities for washing that the public may use.
What does it mean word for word?
Waschsalon is a compound of Wasch- (from waschen, to wash) and Salon (salon/lounge).
Which one should you use?
While Waschsalon is the general term for a launderette, Münzwäscherei specifically emphasizes that the machines are operated with coins.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some trendy urban areas, particularly in Berlin, the term Waschcafé is used for a combination of a launderette and a café.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Waschsalon is Waschsalons.
Did you know?
- The word Salon in Waschsalon originally referred to high-society drawing rooms, making the term for a laundry place sound unexpectedly fancy.
- While Waschsalon is common in cities, many Germans still rely on Hauswirtschaftsräume, which are shared laundry rooms located in the basement of apartment buildings.
- Using a Waschsalon in Germany often involves a Waschkarte, a prepaid magnetic card, rather than the physical coins implied by the term Münzwäscherei.
Examples in context
- Gibt es hier in der Nähe einen Waschsalon?Is there a launderette around here?This sentence is useful for asking if there is a Waschsalon nearby.Tatoeba #8431789 by Luiaard, translation #8431791 by Luiaard
- Tom und Maria haben sich im Waschsalon kennengelernt.Tom and Mary met at the launderette.This sentence is useful for saying people met at the Waschsalon.Tatoeba #11488410 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6453973 by sundown
- Meine Waschmaschine ist kaputt, also werde ich meine Klamotten im Waschsalon waschen.My washing machine is broken, so I'll wash my clothes at the launderette.This sentence is useful for explaining that you will wash clothes in the Waschsalon because your machine is broken.Tatoeba #13796125 by Nins, translation #10943205 by CM
- Entschuldigung, wo ist der nächste Waschsalon?Excuse me, where is the nearest launderette?
- Wir sollten unsere Wäsche in die Wäscherei bringen.We should take our laundry to the launderette.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are discussing laundry chores in their apartment.
- LauraLukas, ist der Waschsalon heute auf?Lukas, is the launderette open today?
- LukasJa, Laura, ich habe gerade dort angerufen.Yes, Laura, I just called there.
- LauraGut, ich muss unbedingt meine Bettwäsche waschen.Good, I really need to wash my bed linen.
- LukasDann sollten wir lieber schnell dorthin gehen.Then we should probably go there quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “launderette” translations and entries Waschsalon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
