Translation guide
The English word 'laundry' can refer to the chore of washing clothes, the clothes themselves, or the place where it's done. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each situation.
Talking about doing the laundry as a household task.
The most common and natural way to say 'do the laundry'. 洗濯 means 'washing (clothes)'.
今日は洗濯をしなければならない。
I have to do the laundry today.
Doing the laundry is a hassle.
A slightly more casual, shorter version of 洗濯をする. Often used in spoken Japanese.
毎日洗濯してるよ。
I do laundry every day.
The noun 'laundry' as a task. Often used in compound phrases.
洗濯が終わった。
The laundry is done.
Referring to the physical items: dirty laundry, clean laundry, a pile of laundry.
The most common word for 'laundry' as items. It can refer to both dirty and clean laundry depending on context.
洗濯物をたたんでください。
Please fold the laundry.
洗濯物が山のようにある。
There's a mountain of laundry.
Can also mean the items, but 洗濯物 is more specific for physical clothes.
Referring to a room or facility for washing clothes.
Loanword from English, commonly used for 'laundry room' or 'laundromat' in modern Japanese.
ホテルのランドリーを使った。
I used the hotel laundry.
Literally 'laundry room', used in formal or architectural contexts.
マンションの洗濯室は地下にある。
The apartment's laundry room is in the basement.
Talking about laundry day or when you usually do laundry.
Literally 'laundry day'.
今日は洗濯の日だ。
Today is laundry day.
Pattern to say 'X-day is laundry day'.
月曜日は洗濯の日です。
Monday is laundry day.
洗浄 (せんじょう) means 'washing' or 'cleaning' in a general sense, often for machines or medical equipment. For household laundry, always use 洗濯.
洗濯 focuses on the action or concept of washing clothes. 洗濯物 refers to the physical items. If you can point to it, it's probably 洗濯物.
洗濯物がたまっている。
The laundry is piling up.
ランドリーはどこですか？
Where is the laundry room?
洗濯をかごに入れて。
Put the laundry in the basket.
Specifically a coin-operated laundromat.
近所にコインランドリーができた。
A laundromat opened in my neighborhood.