laver
/la.ve/
To wash in French is laver.
The verb laver means to clean something with water. If you want to emphasize the general concept of cleaning while washing, you might use the verb nettoyer. Related words include machine for clothes washed at a time and laverie for a laundromat, which is a place where one goes to wash clothes. The word oeud refers to a normally dry bed of an intermittent or ephemeral stream.
Meaning: to clean with water (verb)
Which one should you use?
When you are washing your own body, you must use the reflexive form se laver rather than just laver. Additionally, when washing a specific body part, you use the reflexive form and a definite article instead of a possessive adjective. For example, you say se laver les mains rather than using a form like laver ses mains.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
laver is pronounced /la.ve/ and has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The English word 'lavatory' for a toilet actually shares a common ancestor with the French verb laver, as both stem from the same root meaning 'to wash'.
- In some French idioms, using laver can imply clearing one's honor, such as in laver son honneur.
- While laver is the standard verb for washing, if you are washing dishes by hand, the specific phrase faire la vaisselle is much more common than using laver les assiettes.
Examples in context
- On doit le laver.We have to wash him.This sentence shows how to use laver with a direct object.Tatoeba #5060136 by sacredceltic, translation #5119675 by Airvian
- Je veux me laver.I want to wash myself.This sentence demonstrates the use of the reflexive form with laver.Tatoeba #7064839 by Micsmithel, translation #774874 by marloncori
- Je vais les laver.I'm going to wash them.This sentence shows how to use laver with a plural object.Tatoeba #8939043 by Julien_PDC, translation #13081616 by rul
- laver la vaisselleWashing dishes
- laver les vêtementsWashing clothes
- laver la voitureWashing the car
- Je vais laver la voiture.I am going to wash the car.
- Le médecin m'a conseillé de me purger.The doctor advised me to wash out my stomach.
- Je me lave les mains avant de manger.I wash my hands before eating.
- 129 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are in the kitchen after a meal.
- HugoTu peux laver les assiettes ?Can you wash the plates?
- ChloéOui, je vais les laver tout de suite.Yes, I will wash them right away.
- HugoMerci, Chloé, c'est gentil.Thanks, Chloé, that's kind.
- ChloéDe rien, Hugo.You're welcome, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wash” translations and entries laver, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries laver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
