German · Emotions & Descriptions
"Clean" in German: sauber
sauber
Clean in German is sauber. Say Die Küche ist sauber or ein sauberes Handtuch. The opposite is schmutzig or dreckig.
After chores
Endlich ist das Bad sauber.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce sauber
Say it
ZOW-ber
/ˈzaʊbɐ/
ZOW-ber. Au like ow in cow; soft -er.
"Clean" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| sauber | clean Base adjective. | Base adjective. |
| saubere / sauberer / sauberes | clean (inflected) Before nouns. | Before nouns. |
| schmutzig / dreckig | dirty Opposites. | Opposites. |
| sauber machen | to clean / tidy Related verb phrase. | Related verb phrase. |
How to use sauber in real life
- 1After chores
Endlich ist das Bad sauber.
Finally the bathroom is clean.
Predicate sauber.
- 2Laundry
Leg die sauberen Hemden hierhin.
Put the clean shirts here.
Sauberen before plural.
- 3Café
Ist der Tisch schon sauber?
Is the table clean already?
Schon sauber.
Mistakes English speakers make with sauber
Incorrect: ein sauber Glas
Correct: ein sauberes Glas
Before neuter nouns use sauberes.
Incorrect: Ich sauber die Küche.
Correct: Ich mache die Küche sauber. / Ich putze die Küche.
Sauber is an adjective, not a verb.
Good to know
Flat-share notices love Bitte sauber hinterlassen. Sauber can also mean fair play in sports slang.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Before parents visit
ChatPal
Ist die Küche schon sauber?
Is the kitchen clean already?
You
Fast. Der Boden ist noch nicht sauber.
Almost. The floor isn't clean yet.
ChatPal
Okay, ich wische. Dann ist alles sauber.
Okay, I'll mop. Then everything is clean.
You
Perfekt. Danke für die Hilfe.
Perfect. Thanks for the help.
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Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Clean" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Clean" in German
Clean?
Sauber.
Dirty?
Schmutzig or dreckig.
Before nouns?
Saubere, sauberer, sauberes…
As a verb?
Use putzen or sauber machen — sauber alone is not a verb.
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