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.
do the laundry
laundry (items)
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)'.
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.
I do laundry every day.
The noun 'laundry' as a task. Often used in compound phrases.
Referring to the physical items: dirty laundry, clean laundry, a pile of laundry.
Referring to a room or facility for washing clothes.
Talking about laundry day or when you usually do laundry.
Literally '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.
洗濯が終わった。
The laundry is done.
The most common word for 'laundry' as items. It can refer to both dirty and clean laundry depending on context.
Please fold the laundry.
There's a mountain of laundry.
Can also mean the items, but 洗濯物 is more specific for physical clothes.
Put the laundry in the basket.
Loanword from English, commonly used for 'laundry room' or 'laundromat' in modern Japanese.
I used the hotel laundry.
Specifically a coin-operated laundromat.
A laundromat opened in my neighborhood.
Literally 'laundry room', used in formal or architectural contexts.
The apartment's laundry room is in the basement.
Today is laundry day.
Pattern to say 'X-day is laundry day'.
Monday is laundry day.
The laundry is piling up.
Where is the laundry room?