French · Everyday Verbs
"to wash" in French: laver
laver
To wash in French is laver. Je lave mon pull means I'm washing my sweater. Se laver is to wash yourself: je me lave les mains.
Laundry
Je lave les draps aujourd'hui.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce laver
Say it
lah-VAY
/la.ve/
Laver: lah-VAY. Lave: LAV.
"to wash" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| laver | to wash Clothes, dishes, objects. | Clothes, dishes, objects. |
| je lave | I wash / I'm washing Present. | Present. |
| se laver | to wash oneself Body care. | Body care. |
| faire la lessive | to do the laundry Household chore. | Household chore. |
How to use laver in real life
- 1Laundry
Je lave les draps aujourd'hui.
I'm washing the sheets today.
Je lave.
- 2Kitchen
Tu laves la vaisselle, je range.
You wash the dishes; I'll put things away.
Tu laves.
- 3Hygiene
Lave-toi les mains avant de manger.
Wash your hands before eating.
Imperative of se laver.
Mistakes English speakers make with laver
Incorrect: Je lave moi.
Correct: Je me lave.
Reflexive se laver needs me/te/se.
Incorrect: Je wash mon t-shirt.
Correct: Je lave mon t-shirt.
Use laver, not English wash.
Good to know
Laverie is a laundromat; pressing shops are pressing / pressing-repassage. Faire la lessive is the everyday laundry phrase even when you use a machine.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Sharing chores
ChatPal
Tu laves encore ce pull ?
Are you still washing that sweater?
You
Oui, je lave aussi les chaussettes.
Yes, I'm washing the socks too.
ChatPal
OK, moi je sors la lessive sèche.
OK — I'll take out the dry laundry.
You
Merci.
Thanks.
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 wash" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to wash" in French
How do you say to wash in French?
Laver; se laver for yourself.
How do you say I'm washing the dishes?
Je lave la vaisselle.
How do you say wash your hands?
Lave-toi les mains.
How do you pronounce laver?
lah-VAY.
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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