In German
sauber
Meaning: clean
Formal or informal? “Sauber” is clean, the everyday word. For pure or clean in a chemical sense, German says “rein”.
Example sentences
Das Zimmer ist sehr sauber.
The room is very clean.
Ist das Wasser sauber?
Is the water clean?
Ein sauberes Glas, bitte.
A clean glass, please.
Grammar note
Before a noun: “ein sauberer Tisch” (masculine), “eine saubere Küche” (feminine), “ein sauberes Glas” (neuter). Comparative: “sauberer”, superlative “am saubersten”.
Common mistake
Don't use “sauber” to mean pure in a scientific sense. “Reines Wasser” means pure water, while “sauberes Wasser” means clean water.
Quick check
Which German word means “clean”?
More words on this topic
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Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between “sauber” and “rein”?
“Sauber” is clean in everyday use, while “rein” means pure or unmixed.
What is the German for “to clean” as a verb?
“Putzen” or “reinigen”.