do laundry
Wash clothes
Use `do laundry` for the routine chore of washing a machine full of clothes.
En 15 segundos
- The standard way to say you are washing your clothes.
- Always use the verb 'do', never 'make' or 'clean'.
- Covers washing, drying, and often folding the entire load.
Significado
This phrase refers to the entire process of cleaning your clothes. It includes washing them, drying them, and often folding them too.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Talking to a roommate
Is it your turn to do laundry, or mine?
Is it your turn to wash the clothes, or mine?
Declining an invitation
I'd love to go, but I really have to do laundry tonight.
I'd love to go, but I really have to wash clothes tonight.
At the office
I spent my entire Sunday doing laundry and prepping meals.
I spent my entire Sunday washing clothes and preparing food.
Contexto cultural
In the US and UK, 'laundry day' is a common concept where people dedicate a specific day to this chore. Laundromats (or launderettes) serve as social hubs in urban areas, often appearing in pop culture as places for chance encounters. The phrase has been standard since the early 20th century as home washing machines became common.
The 'Load' Secret
If you want to sound like a native, say 'I'm doing a load of laundry.' A 'load' is the amount of clothes that fits in one machine.
Don't 'Make' It
Many learners say 'make laundry' because of their native language. In English, 'make' is for creating things. You don't create dirty clothes (hopefully)!
En 15 segundos
- The standard way to say you are washing your clothes.
- Always use the verb 'do', never 'make' or 'clean'.
- Covers washing, drying, and often folding the entire load.
What It Means
Do laundry is a very common way to say you are cleaning clothes. It is a set phrase, or a collocation. You don't say 'make laundry' or 'play laundry.' You always use the verb do. It covers the whole chore from start to finish. If you have a pile of dirty socks, you need to do laundry.
How To Use It
You can use it as a general activity. For example, 'I need to do laundry this weekend.' You can also use it with 'the' to be specific. 'I am doing the laundry right now.' It works in any tense. You did laundry yesterday. You will do laundry tomorrow. It is a very flexible and helpful phrase.
When To Use It
Use this in your daily life. Use it when talking to roommates about chores. Use it when explaining why you can't go out. 'I can't come to the party, I have to do laundry.' It is perfect for casual chats. It also works in professional settings if you are discussing home life. It is the standard way to describe this chore.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for dry cleaning. If you take a suit to a professional, you 'drop off dry cleaning.' Don't use it for just one small item. If you wash one shirt by hand, just say 'I'm washing a shirt.' Do laundry usually implies a larger load of clothes. Also, don't use it if you are just 'folding' clothes. Folding is only one part of the job.
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking countries, doing laundry is a weekly ritual. Many people have machines at home. Others go to a 'laundromat.' This is a public place with many machines. In movies, characters often meet or talk at the laundromat. It is seen as a boring but necessary part of adult life. Some people even have a 'laundry day' where they do everything at once.
Common Variations
You might hear people say 'wash the clothes.' You might also hear 'do a load of laundry.' A 'load' is one machine full of clothes. Some people just say 'do the washing.' This is more common in British English. In American English, do laundry is the king of phrases. It is simple, clear, and used by everyone.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral, everyday phrase. It is safe to use in any social or professional setting. The most important rule is to use the verb `do` rather than `make` or `clean`.
The 'Load' Secret
If you want to sound like a native, say 'I'm doing a load of laundry.' A 'load' is the amount of clothes that fits in one machine.
Don't 'Make' It
Many learners say 'make laundry' because of their native language. In English, 'make' is for creating things. You don't create dirty clothes (hopefully)!
Laundry Day
In the US, Sunday is the most common 'laundry day.' If you go to a laundromat on Sunday, it will be very crowded!
Ejemplos
6Is it your turn to do laundry, or mine?
Is it your turn to wash the clothes, or mine?
A common way to divide household chores.
I'd love to go, but I really have to do laundry tonight.
I'd love to go, but I really have to wash clothes tonight.
A relatable excuse for staying home.
I spent my entire Sunday doing laundry and prepping meals.
I spent my entire Sunday washing clothes and preparing food.
Small talk about how you spent your weekend.
Don't forget to do the laundry before the guests arrive!
Don't forget to wash the clothes before the guests arrive!
Using 'the' makes it a specific task for that day.
I'm convinced that doing laundry is just a never-ending cycle of sadness.
I'm convinced that washing clothes is just a never-ending cycle of sadness.
A joke about how laundry never seems to be finished.
Doing laundry alone for the first time made me really miss my mom.
Washing clothes alone for the first time made me really miss my mom.
Laundry can represent a transition into adulthood.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
I need to ___ laundry because I have no clean socks left.
In English, we always use the verb `do` with laundry. It is a fixed expression.
Complete the sentence with the most natural phrase.
Saturday is my day for ___.
The gerund form `doing laundry` acts as a noun here to describe the activity.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Do Laundry'
Used with friends and family.
Ugh, I gotta do laundry.
The standard way to say it in any situation.
I am going to do laundry now.
Rarely used; people might say 'launder' instead.
The linens require laundering.
When to say 'Do Laundry'
Chores
It's time to do laundry.
Excuses
Sorry, I'm doing laundry.
Small Talk
I did laundry all day.
Planning
When will you do laundry?
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is grammatically okay, but sounds repetitive. Native speakers almost always say do laundry or wash the clothes instead.
It refers to one full machine's worth of clothes. You might say, 'I have three loads of laundry to do today.'
Both are correct. Do laundry is general, while do the laundry often refers to the specific pile of dirty clothes currently in your house.
Yes, it is a neutral phrase. You can tell your boss, 'I was late because I was doing laundry,' though they might not be happy about the excuse!
No, it is a standard English collocation used by people of all ages and backgrounds.
A laundromat is a public business where you pay to use large washing and drying machines. You do laundry there if you don't have a machine at home.
Usually, no. Ironing is a separate chore. Doing laundry mostly covers washing, drying, and folding.
In the UK, people often say do the washing or put a wash on. However, they will still understand do laundry perfectly.
No, 'laundry' is a noun, not a verb. You must use the verb do with it.
Literally, yes. But 'dirty laundry' is also an idiom for someone's private, embarrassing secrets. Don't 'air your dirty laundry' in public!
Frases relacionadas
wash the clothes
The literal act of cleaning garments with water and soap.
do the washing
The common British English equivalent of doing laundry.
a load of laundry
A single batch of clothes washed together in a machine.
fold the laundry
The specific task of neatly arranging clean clothes.
Comentarios (0)
Inicia Sesión para ComentarEmpieza a aprender idiomas gratis
Empieza Gratis