Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Laundry" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "laundry", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
洗濯
せんたく (sentaku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
洗濯物
せんたくもの (sentakumono)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "laundry" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 洗濯 and 洗濯物.
In Japanese, 洗濯 (せんたく (sentaku)) is typically associated with "laundry; washing" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 動詞は「洗濯する.
On the other hand, 洗濯物 (せんたくもの (sentakumono)) maps to "laundry (clothes to be washed or already washed)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Refers to clothes or items that need to be washed, are currently being washed, or have just been washed.. A literal translation of "laundry" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "洗濯"
毎日、洗濯機で洗濯します。
I do laundry with the washing machine every day.
Bilingual Context for "洗濯物"
天気がいいので、**洗濯物**を外に干しました。
The weather is good, so I hung the laundry outside.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日、 ＿＿＿ 機で ＿＿＿ します。" (Meaning: "I do laundry with the washing machine every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "洗濯" fits here because it means "laundry; washing" in the context of: "I do laundry with the washing machine every day.". "洗濯物" represents "laundry (clothes to be washed or already washed)".