duschen
/ˈduːʃən/
To take a shower in German is to duschen.
The primary way to express the act of washing one's body while standing under a spray of water is by using the verb duschen.
Which one should you use?
While duschen is the most common verb, the phrase eine Dusche nehmen is a literal equivalent to the English 'take a shower' and is also used. You should distinguish duschen from baden, which refers specifically to sitting in a bathtub rather than standing under a spray.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you are showering yourself, the reflexive pronoun is often used, such as Ich dusche mich.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈduːʃən/
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'take a shower', using the German equivalent eine Dusche nehmen sounds like you are physically picking up or grabbing the shower apparatus.
- While duschen is for cleaning, the word baden can refer to swimming in the ocean or a lake, not just sitting in a bathtub.
- The word Dusche shares a linguistic history with the idea of a sudden, heavy downpour of water.
Examples in context
- Darf ich duschen gehen?Can I go take a shower?This sentence is useful for asking permission to go take a shower with the verb duschen.Tatoeba #11836600 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8861141 by moxy
- Magst du mit mir duschen?Do you want to take a shower with me?This sentence is useful for an invitation to take a shower with the verb duschen.Tatoeba #13715551 by Vortarulo, translation #13714149 by Babelball
- Ich werde heute Nacht duschen.I'm going to take a shower tonight.This sentence is useful for stating a future intention to take a shower with the verb duschen.Tatoeba #12023460 by Naina, translation #11970324 by CK
- Könnte ich ein Handtuch haben? Ich möchte mich duschen.Could I have a towel? I'd like to take a shower.
- Wo kann ich duschen?Where can I take a shower?
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are getting ready in the morning.
- HannahIch muss jetzt schnell duschen.I have to take a shower quickly now.
- JulianAlles klar, ich warte im Wohnzimmer.All right, I'll wait in the living room.
- HannahWirst du auch noch duschen, Julian?Are you going to take a shower too, Julian?
- JulianNein, das habe ich schon erledigt.No, I've already done that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry duschen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries duschen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
