洗濯
sentaku[sẽ̞nta̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese word for laundry is 洗濯 (sentaku).
In written or professional contexts, you may also see the phrase 衣類の洗濯, which specifically means the washing of clothes.
Meaning: that which needs to be laundered (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 洗 (to wash) and 濯 (to rinse/wash).
How do you pronounce it?
sentaku
Did you know?
- The word 洗濯 is a homophone for another word meaning 'selection' or 'screening', though they use different kanji.
- Because of the high humidity during the rainy season, Japanese speakers use the specific term 部屋干し to describe the act of doing laundry inside the room.
- In traditional Japanese homes, laundry was historically washed in rivers using a tool called a 洗濯板, similar to a washboard, which is now mostly a museum piece.
Examples in context
- 洗濯物干したよ。We hung up the laundry.This sentence shows how to use 洗濯 when talking about hanging up laundry.Tatoeba #10615967 by small_snow, translation #10191407 by AlanF_US
- トムは洗濯中だ。Tom is doing the laundry.This sentence uses 洗濯 to describe someone who is currently doing the laundry.Tatoeba #12976473 by small_snow, translation #2994742 by CK
- 洗濯物入れてきて。Bring the laundry in.This sentence uses 洗濯 to instruct someone to bring the laundry in.Tatoeba #141201 by small_snow, translation #273371 by CK
- 会社近くにランドリーがありますか？Is there a laundry near the office?
- 明日、洗濯物を取りに行かなければいけません。Tomorrow, I must go to pick up the laundry.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple discussing household chores in their living room.
- 大翔 Hiroto洗濯が溜まっていますよ。sentaku ga tamatte imasu yo.The laundry is piling up.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、すぐやりますね。a, sugu yarimasu ne.Ah, I will do it right away.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんがやってくれると助かる。misaki-san ga yatte kureru to tasukaru.It helps a lot when you do it, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki了解です！ryōkai desu!Roger that!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 洗濯, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
