French · Everyday Verbs
"to clean" in French: nettoyer
nettoyer
To clean in French is nettoyer. Je nettoie la table means I'm cleaning the table. Nettoyer takes a y→i change: je nettoie, tu nettoies, ils nettoient.
Before guests
Je nettoie la cuisine avant qu'ils arrivent.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce nettoyer
Say it
neh-twah-YAY
/nɛ.twa.je/
Nettoyer: neh-twah-YAY. Nettoie: neh-TWAH.
"to clean" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| nettoyer | to clean Default verb. | Default verb. |
| je nettoie | I clean / I'm cleaning Present. | Present. |
| nettoyer à fond | to clean thoroughly Deep clean. | Deep clean. |
| faire le ménage | to do the housework Broader chore phrase. | Broader chore phrase. |
How to use nettoyer in real life
- 1Before guests
Je nettoie la cuisine avant qu'ils arrivent.
I'm cleaning the kitchen before they arrive.
Je nettoie.
- 2Sharing chores
Tu nettoies la salle de bain, je m'occupe du salon.
You clean the bathroom; I'll handle the living room.
Tu nettoies.
- 3Weekend reset
On nettoie tout l'appart ce matin.
We're cleaning the whole flat this morning.
On nettoie.
Mistakes English speakers make with nettoyer
Incorrect: Je nettoye la table.
Correct: Je nettoie la table.
In the present, y becomes i: nettoie, not nettoye.
Incorrect: Je clean ma chambre.
Correct: Je nettoie ma chambre.
Use nettoyer, not English clean.
Good to know
Faire le ménage covers general housework; nettoyer points at a specific surface or room. Product labels say nettoyant. Spring-cleaning talk is often le grand ménage de printemps.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Tidying before a visit
ChatPal
Tu nettoies encore la table ?
Are you still cleaning the table?
You
Oui, je nettoie aussi les chaises.
Yes, I'm cleaning the chairs too.
ChatPal
Bravo. Moi je nettoie l'entrée.
Nice. I'll clean the entryway.
You
On aura fini avant midi.
We'll be done before noon.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to clean" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to clean" in French
How do you say to clean in French?
Nettoyer.
How do you say I'm cleaning?
Je nettoie.
Why nettoie not nettoye?
Present tense changes y to i before a silent e ending.
Nettoyer vs faire le ménage?
Nettoyer is clean a thing; faire le ménage is do the housework.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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