French · Emotions & Descriptions

"Clean" in French: propre

propre

Say it: PRO-pruhadjective/pʁɔpʁ/

Clean as an adjective in French is propre. La cuisine est propre means the kitchen is clean. Propre also means own (mes propres affaires). The verb to clean is nettoyer.

After chores

La salle de bain est enfin propre.
The bathroom is finally clean.
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How to pronounce propre

Say it

PRO-pruh

/pʁɔpʁ/

Propre: PRO-pruh. Both syllables short; final e light.

"Clean" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
propreclean

Adjective.

tout proprenice and clean

After cleaning.

pas proprenot clean / dirty

Negative.

nettoyerto clean

The verb (different entry).

How to use propre in real life

  1. 1After chores

    La salle de bain est enfin propre.

    The bathroom is finally clean.

    Est propre.

  2. 2Hotel

    Les draps sont propres et frais.

    The sheets are clean and fresh.

    Propres plural.

  3. 3Kids

    Garde tes mains propres avant le goûter.

    Keep your hands clean before snack.

    Propres.

Mistakes English speakers make with propre

Incorrect: La chambre est clean.

Correct: La chambre est propre.

Use propre, not English clean.

Incorrect: Je propre la table.

Correct: Je nettoie la table. / La table est propre.

Propre is the adjective; the verb is nettoyer.

Good to know

Propre like "own" appears in mon propre choix. Context separates clean vs own. Nettoyage is cleaning as a service; properness compliments often use bien rangé too.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Checking a rental flat

  1. ChatPal

    L'appart est propre, tu trouves ?

    The flat is clean, don't you think?

  2. You

    Oui, très propre pour une location.

    Yes, very clean for a rental.

  3. ChatPal

    On prend des photos ?

    Shall we take photos?

  4. You

    Oui, bonne idée.

    Yes, good idea.

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"Clean" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Clean" in French

How do you say clean in French?

Propre (adjective).

How do you say to clean?

Nettoyer — a different verb entry.

Does propre mean own too?

Yes: mon propre appartement.

How do you pronounce propre?

PRO-pruh.

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