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Waschmaschine
🧺 What exactly is a Waschmaschine?
The German word Waschmaschine means washing machine. It's a household appliance used for washing clothes and other textiles. It automates the washing process using water, detergent (Waschmittel), and mechanical movement (usually via a rotating drum).
The word is feminine, so the article is always die: die Waschmaschine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Waschmaschine
The noun „Waschmaschine“ is feminine. The correct article is „die“. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die | Waschmaschine |
| Genitive (Gen) | der | Waschmaschine |
| Dative (Dat) | der | Waschmaschine |
| Accusative (Acc) | die | Waschmaschine |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die | Waschmaschinen |
| Genitive (Gen) | der | Waschmaschinen |
| Dative (Dat) | den | Waschmaschinen |
| Accusative (Acc) | die | Waschmaschinen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Waschmaschine ist kaputt. (The washing machine is broken. - Nominative Singular)
- Die Reparatur der Waschmaschine war teuer. (The repair of the washing machine was expensive. - Genitive Singular)
- Ich gebe Waschmittel in die Waschmaschine. (I put detergent into the washing machine. - Accusative Singular)
- Mit der Waschmaschine spare ich viel Zeit. (With the washing machine, I save a lot of time. - Dative Singular)
- Im Keller stehen zwei Waschmaschinen. (There are two washing machines in the basement. - Nominative Plural)
- Der Techniker repariert die Waschmaschinen. (The technician repairs the washing machines. - Accusative Plural)
🛠️ How to Use 'die Waschmaschine'
The term die Waschmaschine is very common in everyday language as it's a fundamental household appliance.
- Context: Mainly used in the home (im Haushalt), in laundromats (im Waschsalon), or in descriptions of apartments/houses.
- Typical Verbs: benutzen (to use), anschalten (to turn on), ausräumen (to empty), befüllen (to fill), reparieren (to repair), kaufen (to buy).
- Types: Germans often distinguish between Frontlader (front loader) and Toplader (top loader).
- Comparison: While the Waschmaschine washes, the Wäschetrockner (or simply Trockner) is for drying. The Spülmaschine (dishwasher) cleans dishes.
Germans often just say „Maschine“ if the context makes it clear that the washing machine is meant (e.g., „Die Maschine läuft.“ - The machine is running.).
🧠 Mnemonics for Waschmaschine
Remembering the Article „die“:
Think: Machines ending in 'e' in German are often feminine, so it's die Waschmaschine. Or imagine: *She* needs *die* machine for her washing.
Remembering the Meaning:
It's easy! Combine the German verb waschen (to wash) with the noun Maschine (machine) -> Waschmaschine = washing machine.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Waschautomat: Automatic washer. More technical, often used in retail or manuals.
- (colloquial) Maschine: Just machine, used when the context is clear (e.g., in the laundry room).
⚠️ Similar but Different Words:
- Spülmaschine / Geschirrspüler: Dishwasher. Cleans dishes, not clothes.
- Nähmaschine: Sewing machine. Used for sewing, not washing.
😄 A Little Washing Machine Joke
Deutsch: Frage: Warum hat die Waschmaschine schlechte Laune? Antwort: Weil sie immer nur schmutzige Wäsche sieht!
English: Question: Why is the washing machine in a bad mood? Answer: Because it only ever sees dirty laundry!
✍️ Poem about the Waschmaschine
Deutsch:
Die Trommel dreht sich rundherum,
Macht Kleider sauber, still und stumm.
Mit Wasser, Seife, Kraft und Schwung,
Wird Wäsche frisch, für alt und jung.
Die Waschmaschine, klug und fein,
Lässt Schmutz und Flecken schnell verschwinden sein.
English Translation:
The drum turns round and round,
Makes clothes clean, quiet and profound.
With water, soap, power and swing,
Laundry gets fresh, for old and young a thing.
The washing machine, clever and fine,
Lets dirt and stains quickly decline.
❓ Riddle Time
Deutsch:
Ich schlucke Schmutziges und spucke Sauberkeit,
brauche Wasser, Strom und Waschmittel für mein Kleid.
Ich brumme und schleudere im Keller oder Bad,
und dreh' für reine Wäsche gern am Rad.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation & Clues:
I swallow dirt and spit out cleanliness,
need water, electricity, and detergent for my dress (operation).
I hum and spin in the basement or bath,
and gladly turn my wheel (drum) for a clean laundry path.
Who am I?
Solution: Die Waschmaschine (The washing machine)
🧩 Other Information about Waschmaschine
Word Composition:
The word „Waschmaschine“ is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
- waschen: The verb meaning to wash.
- Maschine: The noun meaning machine.
Trivia:
- The first electric washing machines appeared in the early 20th century.
- Modern washing machines (moderne Waschmaschinen) are often very energy and water-efficient.
- There are also washer-dryers (Waschtrockner) that combine washing and drying in one appliance.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Waschmaschine?
The noun „Waschmaschine“ is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die: die Waschmaschine.