nettoyer
/nɛ.twa.je/
To clean in French is nettoyer.
Nettoyer is used when you want to clean a surface or an object. If you want to convey the idea of cleaning in a more general sense, such as upkeep or maintenance, you might use the related verb entretenir.
Which one should you use?
While nettoyer means to clean a specific surface or object, use the verb ranger if your intent is to 'clean up' by tidying or organizing a space.
How does it change in a sentence?
Nettoyer is a stem-changing verb. In the present indicative, the y changes to an i in the singular forms and the third-person plural forms (for example, nettoie). The past participle of the verb is nettoyé.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɛ.twa.je/. The word has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word nettoyer is actually a bit of a linguistic illusion. It was reconstructed by adding the adjective net, meaning 'clean', to an older verb to make it sound more logical, even though the original root had nothing to do with the word 'clean'.
Examples in context
- Je n'aime pas nettoyer.I don't like to clean.This sentence uses the form nettoyer to express a dislike for the act of cleaning.Tatoeba #2398200 by sacredceltic, translation #2396085 by CK
- Il me faut nettoyer cela.I have to clean that up.This sentence uses the form nettoyer to express a necessity to clean something up.Tatoeba #2370529 by sacredceltic, translation #2362104 by CK
- J'aime nettoyer ma chambre.I like to clean my room.This sentence uses the form nettoyer to express a preference for cleaning a room.Tatoeba #5452565 by alexisslay, translation #1762375 by Amastan
- J'ai besoin de nettoyer ma maison ce week-end.I need to clean my house this weekend.
- Il faut nettoyer les vitres avant l'arrivée des invités.We need to clean the windows before the guests arrive.
- Je dois entretenir cette robe délicate.I need to clean/maintain this delicate dress.
- Je dois nettoyer mon appartement avant la fête.I have to clean my apartment before the party.
- On doit nettoyer la voiture ce week-end.We have to clean the car this weekend.
- J'ai passé ma journée à faire le ménage.I spent the day cleaning the house.
- Elle doit faire le ménage avant l'arrivée de sa famille.She needs to clean the house before her family arrives.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are at home deciding on house chores.
- GabrielTu peux nettoyer la cuisine ?Can you clean the kitchen?
- ManonOui, je vais nettoyer la table aussi.Yes, I am going to clean the table too.
- GabrielMerci, c'est très gentil.Thanks, that is very kind.
- ManonDe rien, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nettoyer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nettoyer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
