German · Home, Clothes & Daily Life
"Clothes" in German: Kleidung
die Kleidung
Note: informal: die Klamotten
Clothes in German is die Kleidung. Casual speech loves die Klamotten. To get dressed say sich anziehen. Outfit is common for a look.
Packing
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How to pronounce Kleidung
Say it
KLY-doong
/ˈklaɪdʊŋ/
KLY-doong. Ei like eye. Soft -ung.
"Clothes" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Kleidung | clothes / clothing Neutral default. | Neutral default. |
| die Klamotten | clothes (informal) Everyday slangy. | Everyday slangy. |
| sich anziehen | to get dressed Related verb. | Related verb. |
| Winterkleidung | winter clothes Common compound. | Common compound. |
How to use Kleidung in real life
- 1Packing
Ich packe warme Kleidung ein.
I'm packing warm clothes.
Kleidung as mass noun.
- 2Laundry day
Die Kleidung muss noch trocknen.
The clothes still have to dry.
Often singular feel in German.
- 3Shopping
Neue Kleidung für die Arbeit.
New clothes for work.
No plural needed.
Mistakes English speakers make with Kleidung
Incorrect: Meine Clothes sind nass.
Correct: Meine Kleidung ist nass. / Meine Klamotten sind nass.
Use Kleidung or Klamotten.
Incorrect: die Kleidungen (usual everyday)
Correct: die Kleidung
Kleidung is usually uncountable; people rarely pluralize it in daily talk.
Good to know
Klamotten is friendly and informal. In shops and writing, Kleidung sounds cleaner. Germans also say Sachen for clothes: Zieh warme Sachen an.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Before a weekend trip
ChatPal
Hast du genug Kleidung für drei Tage?
Do you have enough clothes for three days?
You
Ich glaube ja. Die Kleidung liegt schon im Koffer.
I think so. The clothes are already in the suitcase.
ChatPal
Nimm noch Regenkleidung mit.
Take rain clothes too.
You
Gute Idee. Die Jacke kommt dazu.
Good idea. The jacket is going in.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Clothes" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Clothes" in German
Is Kleidung singular or plural?
It behaves like a mass noun. Die Kleidung is the usual form.
What are Klamotten?
Informal clothes.
How do you say to get dressed?
Sich anziehen.
How do you say dirty clothes?
Schmutzige Kleidung or Dreckwäsche.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
