der
Abwasch
🧼 What does "der Abwasch" mean?
Der Abwasch (masculine) refers to the act of washing used dishes, cutlery, and cooking utensils, and often also the items needing to be washed themselves.
- Main meaning: The cleaning of dishes after a meal. Example: Nach dem Abendessen steht immer der Abwasch an. (The washing-up always needs doing after dinner.)
- Figurative meaning (rare): Can sometimes metaphorically refer to an unpleasant task or clarification that needs to be done (similar to "clearing things up"), but this is very colloquial and uncommon.
⚠️ There is only one article: der Abwasch. It's a noun derived from the verb abwaschen (to wash up).
📊 Grammar of "Abwasch" in Detail
The word "Abwasch" is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular as it describes the process. When referring to the items (the dishes), the singular form is often used ("der Abwasch wartet" - the washing-up is waiting) or the word "Geschirr" (dishes, crockery). A true plural ("die Abwäsche") is very unusual and rarely used.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der | Abwasch | (Nominative) |
| Genitiv | des | Abwasches / Abwaschs | (Genitive) |
| Dativ | dem | Abwasch(e) | (Dative) |
| Akkusativ | den | Abwasch | (Accusative) |
Example Sentences
- Wer macht heute den Abwasch? (Who is doing the washing-up today?)
- Nach der Party hatten wir einen riesigen Abwasch. (After the party, we had a huge pile of dishes to wash.)
- Das Erledigen des Abwasches dauert nicht lange. (Doing the washing-up doesn't take long.)
- Ich helfe dir bei dem Abwasch. (I'll help you with the washing-up.)
🗣️ How to use "der Abwasch"?
"Der Abwasch" is an everyday word used mainly in the context of household chores and the kitchen. It's equivalent to the washing-up or doing the dishes in English.
- Typical collocations: You "do" the washing-up (den Abwasch machen), it "is due" or "needs doing" (der Abwasch steht an), it doesn't "get done by itself" (der Abwasch erledigt sich nicht von selbst), you can "take over" the task (den Abwasch übernehmen).
- Context: Often mentioned after meals or cooking.
- Risk of confusion?: Not directly, but it's useful to distinguish between the process (der Abwasch) and the items to be washed (das Geschirr), although "der Abwasch" often implies both. The verb is abwaschen (to wash up).
- Colloquial use: Very common in spoken German.
Example dialogue:
Person A: "Oh nein, schon wieder so viel Abwasch!" (Oh no, so much washing-up again!)
Person B: "Keine Sorge, ich übernehme heute den Abwasch." (Don't worry, I'll do the washing-up today.)
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article mnemonic (der): Think of the strong man, DER Hercules, who has to wash a mountain of dishes. Washing up needs strength (masculine) -> der Abwasch.
Meaning mnemonic: Imagine washing grime 'ab' (off) the dishes -> Abwasch means washing up.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for Abwasch
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Spülen: (The rinsing/washing) - Refers primarily to the action.
- Das Geschirrspülen: (The dishwashing) - Very direct, emphasizes the object being washed.
- Die Spülerei (colloquial): (The washing-up chore) - Can sound a bit negative or like a lot of effort.
Antonyms (opposite concept):
Direct antonyms hardly exist. You can mention contrasting concepts:
- Sauberes Geschirr: (Clean dishes) - The result of the Abwasch.
- Das Decken des Tisches: (Setting the table) - The preparation before eating (as opposed to cleaning up after).
- Die Küchenarbeit: (Kitchen work/chores - general) - Abwasch is part of this.
Related Terms:
- abwaschen (verb): to wash up.
- das Spülmittel: washing-up liquid / dish soap.
- die Spülmaschine / der Geschirrspüler: dishwasher.
- das Geschirr: dishes / crockery / tableware.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum hat der Abwasch nie Streit mit dem Geschirr?
Weil er immer alles glattbügelt!
EN: Why does the washing-up never argue with the dishes?
Because it always smooths things over! (literal: irons everything flat)
📜 Poem about Washing Up
DE:
Der Teller fettig, Glas nicht klar,
Besteck benutzt, oh wunderbar.
Nach Festmahl, üppig, lecker, fein,
muss nun der Abwasch dran auch sein.
Mit Schwamm und Spüli, heißem Nass,
wird Schmutz besiegt, welch ein Spaß?
Doch sauber glänzt's am End' geschwind,
weil Ordnung auch ihr Gutes find't.
EN:
The plate is greasy, glass not clear,
Cutlery used, oh wonderful, dear.
After the feast, rich, tasty, fine,
Now the washing-up must align.
With sponge and soap, and water hot,
Dirt is conquered, fun? Perhaps not.
But clean it shines quickly in the end,
Because order too, its good does send.
❓ A Little Riddle
DE:
Ich komme nach dem Essen dran,
bin Arbeit, die nicht jeder kann...
... leiden, doch ich muss gescheh'n,
damit die Teller sauber seh'n.
Mit Wasser, Schaum und viel Rubbeln,
vertreib' ich Soßenreste-Dublonen.
Was bin ich?
(Auflösung: der Abwasch)
EN:
I come along after the meal,
A chore not everyone can feel...
... happy about, but must be done,
So plates look clean for everyone.
With water, foam, and lots of scrubbing,
I banish sauce-stain dubbing.
What am I?
(Answer: der Abwasch / the washing-up)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition: The word "Abwasch" is a nominalization (making a noun) of the verb "abwaschen". It consists of the prefix "ab-" (off, away) and the verb "waschen" (to wash).
Cultural Note: The question "Wer macht den Abwasch?" (Who does the washing-up?) has often been a topic in discussions about the division of household chores in Germany, as in many other cultures.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Abwasch?
The noun "Abwasch" is masculine. The correct article is always der: der Abwasch (Nominative), des Abwasches (Genitive), dem Abwasch (Dative), den Abwasch (Accusative). It refers to the act of washing dishes or the dishes that need washing.