my main question is what is the correct verb to precede the noun «windows» to indicate removal of dirt, etc.
The reason I ask is that despite being an English teacher I’m also Dutch, and sometimes I can’t tell for certain if something «sounds right» because of my Dutch or because of my English.
I had «to wash the windows» in a test, and a pupil asked if it shouldn’t be «to clean the windows». I couldn’t explain and really have no idea where to look for these kinds of usages.
asked Feb 5, 2018 at 20:02
3
After reading the other answers/comments, it seems like the preferred verb is a regional thing. J. Taylor commented that it’s «do windows» in American English — but, where I’ve lived in America, I’ve never heard that phrase. (For what it’s worth, it’s usually «wash» in the western US.)
Either «wash» or «clean» is valid as a verb here, and, for all intents and purposes, they mean the same thing. So, this might not be the best question for an English test. (;
For true window-washing enthusiasts, image searching on US-based Google reveals the most common uses of these phrases:
«window washer» -> a profession
«window cleaner» -> a cleaning product
«window wiper» -> a squeegee
answered Feb 5, 2018 at 21:24
clfmclfm
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I had «to wash the windows» in a test, and a pupil asked if it shouldn’t be «to clean the windows». I couldn’t explain and really have no idea where to look for these kinds of usages.
Sorry but I think the kid is right 
I think this is probably the right place to look. In England we have a profession called «window cleaners». Therefore clean the windows is used. We also use «wipe» the windows due to the action of wiping or windscreen wipers. Wash is usually used in a more encompassing sense. I wash the dog, I wash the car. But I don’t hose down the windows, I make them clean. When I shop I look for a window cleaning brush or a squeegee (like a hand held wiper blade). And yes, oddly, squeegee is used too.
answered Feb 5, 2018 at 20:53
As a native speaker of American English either sounds fine to me, although there is a subtle difference in meaning: washing implies cleaning with water.
answered Mar 13, 2018 at 14:32
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 10:41:53 AM |
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When do we say ‘wash windows’ or ‘clean windows’?
I guess if we use a spray cleaner, we say ‘clean windows’, and when we use water, it should be ‘wash windows’. Is this correct?
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:02:04 AM |
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I don’t think it makes any difference at all, Helenej. In fact I, and many other native speakers I know, don’t use either. We use «do» instead: e.g.
«Damn! I can’t come — I have to do the windows this afternoon.»
«Oh! I only finished doing them about two minutes ago — and now that wretched seagull’s just made a mess on my kitchen windows.»
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:20:30 AM |
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Compliment for the fine examples, Romany!
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:26:06 AM |
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That’s interesting. Can we do the floors the same way? Is it possible to do a room, a bathroom, a kitchen?
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:33:45 AM |
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I use clean the windows and wash the windows interchangeably, though I must say I, personally, use «clean» much more frequently. It has nothing to do with the cleaning products or lack thereof.
When you’re speaking of different rooms, it might be a different story. You don’t wash the kitchen. Rather, you wash the dishes, the floor etc. But you also, sweep the floor. So there are a variety of ways to keep the kitchen clean and don’t all involve «washing».
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 1:32:55 PM |
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Thank you very much.
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 2:13:56 PM |
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The guy, who comes to do the windows, is a window cleaner. For this reason, I say you ‘clean’ the windows but agree that you ‘do’ the windows too. Certainly most English speakers would assume you meant clean them if you asked them to do the windows.
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 2:19:58 PM |
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Thanks, Phil Redbud.
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 3:55:20 PM |
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Phil Redbud wrote:
The guy, who comes to do the windows, is a window cleaner. For this reason, I say you ‘clean’ the windows but agree that you ‘do’ the windows too. Certainly most English speakers would assume you meant clean them if you asked them to do the windows.
I think it might depend upon whom you ask. Of course, if you ask someone who washes windows for a living, (s)he’ll understand. But, if someone asked me to do their windows, I wouldn’t assume they meant wash. I would ask for clarification. Wash them? Repair them? Decorate them?
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 4:27:46 PM |
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CatCat wrote:
if someone asked me to do their windows, I wouldn’t assume they meant wash. I would ask for clarification. Wash them? Repair them? Decorate them?
In real life nobody is going to ask you to do their windows unless they are pretty sure they know that both of you know what is being talked about.
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 5:53:22 PM |
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tunaafi wrote:
CatCat wrote:
if someone asked me to do their windows, I wouldn’t assume they meant wash. I would ask for clarification. Wash them? Repair them? Decorate them?
In real life nobody is going to ask you to do their windows unless they are pretty sure they know that both of you know what is being talked about.
Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties. However, it’s not always clear to say that to «do» your windows means to clean them. If I hire a handyperson to do my windows, I’m fairly sure (s)he would ask «do what?»
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 6:31:50 PM |
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CatCat wrote:
Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties. However, it’s not always clear to say that to «do» your windows means to clean them. If I hire a handyperson to do my windows, I’m fairly sure (s)he would ask «do what?»
Well, if your handyman were a window cleaner, he’d probably not think you wanted him to install double glazing. A jobbing carpenter would be unlikely to think you were asking him to clean your windows.
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 7:14:16 PM |
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tunaafi wrote:
CatCat wrote:
Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties. However, it’s not always clear to say that to «do» your windows means to clean them. If I hire a handyperson to do my windows, I’m fairly sure (s)he would ask «do what?»
Well, if your handyman were a window cleaner, he’d probably not think you wanted him to install double glazing. A jobbing carpenter would be unlikely to think you were asking him to clean your windows.
As I said above, «Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties» but not every time, so I’m not sure you’re why you’re repeating the point you have already made. To repeat my point, if it’s the first conversation with someone who advertises as a handyperson, (s)he is unlikely to know what you want if you say you want your windows «done». Sometimes, it’s necessary to give more information.
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Posted: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 3:49:31 PM |
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Helenj — to answer your question above: yes we ‘do’ lots of things.
«Hey Mandy, come over to my place, Anita’s here.»
«Oh damn! I’m in the middle of doing my floors.»…Our everyday task with a floor is to polish/wash/vacuum them. (Sweeping doesn’t count. You do that umpteen times a day!) It’s understood. If you were actually putting a carpet down or laying tiles or anything else, you would say so.
«Mummy, when are we going to the beach?»
«Just as soon as I’ve done the bathrooms, Peter. I promise.» This would mean picking up all the wet towels, cleaning the baths, loos, wiping down the sinks…all that boring stuff. No-one lists the chores. You just ‘do’ them. Often you do one room at a time.
EXCEPT for the kitchen. You might say «I’m going to do the kitchen cupboards today» and that would mean you were going to clean them all out. You might say «I’ve got to do the oven.» or do the floors, or do the fridge.
But if you say you’re going to «do» the kitchen that’s serious talk! You are going to blitz it. It will take all day…you’ll do the oven and the fridge and the cupboards, and the floors, and the drawers. You might even get rid of those skanky old blinds at last, or put up those extra shelves you’ve been meaning to do all at the same time…and it will be chaos!!
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Posted: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 4:09:20 PM |
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Also, in response to the original question, to me…
if you say ‘window washer’ that sounds like the gadget you use. eg the spray mechanism on your car to spray washer fluid onto your windscreen.
You clean your windows using a window washer.
and a window cleaner is the person who comes and cleans the windows. — When I’m cleaning windows
seriously, I could not resist!
Is my taste in music a bit weird?
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Posted: Thursday, January 8, 2015 3:48:36 AM |
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Romany wrote:
Helenj — to answer your question above: yes we ‘do’ lots of things.
«Hey Mandy, come over to my place, Anita’s here.»
«Oh damn! I’m in the middle of doing my floors.»…Our everyday task with a floor is to polish/wash/vacuum them. (Sweeping doesn’t count. You do that umpteen times a day!) It’s understood. If you were actually putting a carpet down or laying tiles or anything else, you would say so.
«Mummy, when are we going to the beach?»
«Just as soon as I’ve done the bathrooms, Peter. I promise.» This would mean picking up all the wet towels, cleaning the baths, loos, wiping down the sinks…all that boring stuff. No-one lists the chores. You just ‘do’ them. Often you do one room at a time.
EXCEPT for the kitchen. You might say «I’m going to do the kitchen cupboards today» and that would mean you were going to clean them all out. You might say «I’ve got to do the oven.» or do the floors, or do the fridge.
But if you say you’re going to «do» the kitchen that’s serious talk! You are going to blitz it. It will take all day…you’ll do the oven and the fridge and the cupboards, and the floors, and the drawers. You might even get rid of those skanky old blinds at last, or put up those extra shelves you’ve been meaning to do all at the same time…and it will be chaos!!
Thank you for the examples, Romany. They are very helpful, I mean it.
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Posted: Thursday, January 8, 2015 3:54:47 AM |
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thar wrote:
if you say ‘window washer’ that sounds like the gadget you use. eg the spray mechanism on your car to spray washer fluid onto your windscreen. You clean your windows using a window washer
and a window cleaner is the person who comes and cleans the windows.
— When I’m cleaning windows
Thank you. This will surely help me memorize the words.
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Helenej
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 10:41:53 AM |
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When do we say ‘wash windows’ or ‘clean windows’?
I guess if we use a spray cleaner, we say ‘clean windows’, and when we use water, it should be ‘wash windows’. Is this correct?
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Romany
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:02:04 AM |
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I don’t think it makes any difference at all, Helenej. In fact I, and many other native speakers I know, don’t use either. We use «do» instead: e.g.
«Damn! I can’t come — I have to do the windows this afternoon.»
«Oh! I only finished doing them about two minutes ago — and now that wretched seagull’s just made a mess on my kitchen windows.»
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rogermue
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:20:30 AM |
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Compliment for the fine examples, Romany!
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Helenej
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:26:06 AM |
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That’s interesting. Can we do the floors the same way? Is it possible to do a room, a bathroom, a kitchen?
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CatCat
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:33:45 AM |
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I use clean the windows and wash the windows interchangeably, though I must say I, personally, use «clean» much more frequently. It has nothing to do with the cleaning products or lack thereof.
When you’re speaking of different rooms, it might be a different story. You don’t wash the kitchen. Rather, you wash the dishes, the floor etc. But you also, sweep the floor. So there are a variety of ways to keep the kitchen clean and don’t all involve «washing».
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Helenej
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 1:32:55 PM |
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Thank you very much.
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Phil Redbud
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 2:13:56 PM |
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The guy, who comes to do the windows, is a window cleaner. For this reason, I say you ‘clean’ the windows but agree that you ‘do’ the windows too. Certainly most English speakers would assume you meant clean them if you asked them to do the windows.
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Helenej
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 2:19:58 PM |
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Thanks, Phil Redbud.
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CatCat
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 3:55:20 PM |
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Phil Redbud wrote:
The guy, who comes to do the windows, is a window cleaner. For this reason, I say you ‘clean’ the windows but agree that you ‘do’ the windows too. Certainly most English speakers would assume you meant clean them if you asked them to do the windows.
I think it might depend upon whom you ask. Of course, if you ask someone who washes windows for a living, (s)he’ll understand. But, if someone asked me to do their windows, I wouldn’t assume they meant wash. I would ask for clarification. Wash them? Repair them? Decorate them?
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tunaafi
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 4:27:46 PM |
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CatCat wrote:
if someone asked me to do their windows, I wouldn’t assume they meant wash. I would ask for clarification. Wash them? Repair them? Decorate them?
In real life nobody is going to ask you to do their windows unless they are pretty sure they know that both of you know what is being talked about.
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CatCat
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 5:53:22 PM |
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tunaafi wrote:
CatCat wrote:
if someone asked me to do their windows, I wouldn’t assume they meant wash. I would ask for clarification. Wash them? Repair them? Decorate them?
In real life nobody is going to ask you to do their windows unless they are pretty sure they know that both of you know what is being talked about.
Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties. However, it’s not always clear to say that to «do» your windows means to clean them. If I hire a handyperson to do my windows, I’m fairly sure (s)he would ask «do what?»
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tunaafi
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 6:31:50 PM |
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CatCat wrote:
Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties. However, it’s not always clear to say that to «do» your windows means to clean them. If I hire a handyperson to do my windows, I’m fairly sure (s)he would ask «do what?»
Well, if your handyman were a window cleaner, he’d probably not think you wanted him to install double glazing. A jobbing carpenter would be unlikely to think you were asking him to clean your windows.
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CatCat
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Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 7:14:16 PM |
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tunaafi wrote:
CatCat wrote:
Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties. However, it’s not always clear to say that to «do» your windows means to clean them. If I hire a handyperson to do my windows, I’m fairly sure (s)he would ask «do what?»
Well, if your handyman were a window cleaner, he’d probably not think you wanted him to install double glazing. A jobbing carpenter would be unlikely to think you were asking him to clean your windows.
As I said above, «Of course, there is a time when it makes obvious sense to both parties» but not every time, so I’m not sure you’re why you’re repeating the point you have already made. To repeat my point, if it’s the first conversation with someone who advertises as a handyperson, (s)he is unlikely to know what you want if you say you want your windows «done». Sometimes, it’s necessary to give more information.
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Romany
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Posted: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 3:49:31 PM |
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Helenj — to answer your question above: yes we ‘do’ lots of things.
«Hey Mandy, come over to my place, Anita’s here.»
«Oh damn! I’m in the middle of doing my floors.»…Our everyday task with a floor is to polish/wash/vacuum them. (Sweeping doesn’t count. You do that umpteen times a day!) It’s understood. If you were actually putting a carpet down or laying tiles or anything else, you would say so.
«Mummy, when are we going to the beach?»
«Just as soon as I’ve done the bathrooms, Peter. I promise.» This would mean picking up all the wet towels, cleaning the baths, loos, wiping down the sinks…all that boring stuff. No-one lists the chores. You just ‘do’ them. Often you do one room at a time.
EXCEPT for the kitchen. You might say «I’m going to do the kitchen cupboards today» and that would mean you were going to clean them all out. You might say «I’ve got to do the oven.» or do the floors, or do the fridge.
But if you say you’re going to «do» the kitchen that’s serious talk! You are going to blitz it. It will take all day…you’ll do the oven and the fridge and the cupboards, and the floors, and the drawers. You might even get rid of those skanky old blinds at last, or put up those extra shelves you’ve been meaning to do all at the same time…and it will be chaos!!
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thar
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Posted: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 4:09:20 PM |
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Also, in response to the original question, to me…
if you say ‘window washer’ that sounds like the gadget you use. eg the spray mechanism on your car to spray washer fluid onto your windscreen.
You clean your windows using a window washer.
and a window cleaner is the person who comes and cleans the windows. — When I’m cleaning windows
seriously, I could not resist!
Is my taste in music a bit weird?
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Helenej
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Posted: Thursday, January 8, 2015 3:48:36 AM |
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Location: Kiev, Kyiv City, Ukraine
Romany wrote:
Helenj — to answer your question above: yes we ‘do’ lots of things.
«Hey Mandy, come over to my place, Anita’s here.»
«Oh damn! I’m in the middle of doing my floors.»…Our everyday task with a floor is to polish/wash/vacuum them. (Sweeping doesn’t count. You do that umpteen times a day!) It’s understood. If you were actually putting a carpet down or laying tiles or anything else, you would say so.
«Mummy, when are we going to the beach?»
«Just as soon as I’ve done the bathrooms, Peter. I promise.» This would mean picking up all the wet towels, cleaning the baths, loos, wiping down the sinks…all that boring stuff. No-one lists the chores. You just ‘do’ them. Often you do one room at a time.
EXCEPT for the kitchen. You might say «I’m going to do the kitchen cupboards today» and that would mean you were going to clean them all out. You might say «I’ve got to do the oven.» or do the floors, or do the fridge.
But if you say you’re going to «do» the kitchen that’s serious talk! You are going to blitz it. It will take all day…you’ll do the oven and the fridge and the cupboards, and the floors, and the drawers. You might even get rid of those skanky old blinds at last, or put up those extra shelves you’ve been meaning to do all at the same time…and it will be chaos!!
Thank you for the examples, Romany. They are very helpful, I mean it.
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Helenej
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Posted: Thursday, January 8, 2015 3:54:47 AM |
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thar wrote:
if you say ‘window washer’ that sounds like the gadget you use. eg the spray mechanism on your car to spray washer fluid onto your windscreen. You clean your windows using a window washer
and a window cleaner is the person who comes and cleans the windows.
— When I’m cleaning windows
Thank you. This will surely help me memorize the words.
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Содержание
- В чем разница между Clean и Wash?
- Clean / Wash
- В чем разница между clean, clear и wash?
- Clear
- Clean
- В чем разница?
- Задание на закрепление
- В чем отличие значений слов wash-clean, steps-ladder?
- В чем разница между clean, clear и wash?
- Do you wash windows, or clean them, or both?
- 3 Answers 3
Оба эти глагола связаны с уборкой, мытьем, чистотой. Так в чем же разница между clean и wash? Ниже разберем когда употребление каждого глагола более уместно.
Clean / Wash
Cleaning – это более общее действие, означающее удаление грязи с чего-либо. Например: вы чистите очки, протирая их тряпкой. Clean также можно отнести к вещам, которые не на своем месте – например, если вы убираете свою комнату, вы кладете вещи на свои места.
Washing – это особый тип очистки, при котором используется вода, обычно полностью покрывая предмет очистки. Например, вы моете руки с помощью воды и мыла. Вы также моете посуду, моете лицо или моете волосы в душе.Мы можем говорить о стирке (washing) нашей одежды, но чаще используется выражение “do the laundry”.
Машина, которая стирает нашу одежду, называется “washing machine”. А место, куда вы отвозите свой автомобиль когда он грязный, называется “car wash”.
Иногда чистка (cleaning) также может использовать воду. Если вы чистите ванную комнату или моете пол, правильнее использовать глагол clean. Clean the bathroom, clean the floor.Наконец, clean также может быть прилагательным, означающим “без грязи “ – мы можем сказать ”the bathroom is clean” или “my hands are clean” после того, как мы очистили ванную или вымыли руки.
В чем разница между clean, clear и wash?
Все мы любим порядок, но убираться можно по-разному. В статье мы разберем разницу между словами clean, clear и wash, которые можно перевести как «помыть/убрать/очистить».
Clear
Произношение и перевод: 
Clear [klɪr] / [клир] – очистить/убрать
Значение слова:
Убрать вещи, чтобы сделать что-то опрятнее
Употребление:
Мы используем слово clear, когда говорим, что убираем беспорядок, расставляя вещи на свои места, расчищаем пространство, выкидываем мусор или что-то ненужное. Например: Он давно хотел убраться в гараже.
You should clear the table.
Тебе следует убрать со стола.
They cleared the street of snow.
Они очистили дорогу от снега.
Clean
Произношение и перевод:
Clean [kliːn] / [клиин] – чистить/очистить/убраться
Значение слова:
Избавиться от грязи путем трения или мытья
Употребление:
Мы используем слово clean, когда говорим, что избавляемся от грязи. Это общее слово, мы можем использовать его со всеми видами уборки: мыть, протирать, приводить в порядок и т.д. Например: Она убирается в квартире каждую неделю.
Clean your room.
Уберись в комнате.
I cleaned the house.
Я убралась в доме.
Произношение и перевод: 
Wash [wɒʃ] / [ваш] – помыть
Значение слова:
Избавиться от грязи, с помощью воды и мыла
Употребление:
Мы используем слово wash, когда говорим, что моем что-то водой и моющими средствами. Например: Сегодня твоя очередь мыть посуду.
Wash your hands.
Помой руки.
He washed his car.
Он помыл машину.
В чем разница?
Слово clear, мы используем, когда что убираем беспорядок, расставляя вещи на свои места, расчищаем пространство, выкидываем мусор или что-то ненужное. Например: Уберись в шкафу.
Слово clean является общим, для всех видов уборки. Мы используем его, когда моем, протираем, приводим в порядок, расставляем и т.д. Например: Она весь день убиралась в квартире.
Слово wash, мы используем, когда говорим, что моем что-то водой и мылом/моющими средствами. Например: Она помыла полы.
Задание на закрепление
Вставьте правильные слова в следующие предложения. Свои ответы оставляйте в комментариях под статьей.
1. Он ___ окна.
2. ___ свое рабочее место.
3. Они ___ дорогу от упавших деревьев.
4. Тебе нужно ___в комнате.
5. __ тарелки.
6. Она ___ в квартире два часа.
В чем отличие значений слов wash-clean, steps-ladder?
1) wash-clean
Читала, что clean -именно чистить, а wash-мыть с использованием воды или моющих средств. Но в книге с картинками под словом wash изображен человек, который моет машину с моющим средством, а под словом clean -тоже человек, который тоже с моющим средством моет окна. Так в чем же отличия в значении?
И то, и другое-лестница. Так в чем же разница?
«Ladder «- это обычно лестница, которая имеет промежутки между ступенями (то бишь стремянка) , а «steps», насколько я знаю, переводится как «шаги» (ед. ч. — шаг) , это слово используют, чтобы обозначить каждую ступень по отдельности (т. е. если на лестнице 38 ступеней, то пишут «38 steps»).
Разницу слов «wash» и «clean» сложнее объяснить, могу только примеры привести:
clean up — прибирать, приводить в порядок
wash up — мыть посуду; мыть руки, умываться
А ты ответь: Chop is dish — «отбивное блюдо» (англ. ) после еди помою посуду wash-clean, и приду steps-ladder в гости по чистой лестнице. и всё английcкое Chop is dish для русского звучит.
1) to wash = мыть + to wash-up = умывать (ся) + обрабатывать жидкостью (раствором) для достижения нужного эффекта. . .Например, to whitewash — белить (как Том Сойер) ;
to clean = чистить, делать чистым, необязательно отмывая (+ to cleanse |klenz| = очищать, и душу в т. ч. , дезинфицировать и т. п. )
2) steps — это шаги, но не в смысле расстояния от А до Б, а в смысле ступания в пункт А, потом в Б. Поэтому точнее перевести СТУПЕНИ. . .на что ступают. Если лестница, то цельная, монолитная (или имитация таковой) — «to wash the steps with pail and rag» — строка из Р. Фроста.. .
ladder — пристроенная, приставная лестница с перекладинами. . .вплоть до трапа
Ступеньки в смысле по которым поднимаются.
Лестница приставная по которой карабкаются.
В чем разница между clean, clear и wash?
Все мы любим порядок, но убираться можно по-разному. В статье мы разберем разницу между словами clean, clear и wash , которые можно перевести как «помыть/убрать/очистить».
Произношение и перевод: Clear [klɪr] / [клир] – очистить/убрать
Значение слова: Убрать вещи, чтобы сделать что-то опрятнее
Употребление: Мы используем слово clear, когда говорим, что убираем беспорядок, расставляя вещи на свои места, расчищаем пространство, выкидываем мусор или что-то ненужное.
Например: Он давно хотел убраться в гараже.
You should clear the table. Тебе следует убрать со стола.
They cleared the street of snow. Они очистили дорогу от снега.
Произношение и перевод: Clean [kliːn] / [клиин] – чистить/очистить/убраться
Значение слова: Избавиться от грязи путем трения или мытья
Употребление: Мы используем слово clean, когда говорим, что избавляемся от грязи. Это общее слово, мы можем использовать его со всеми видами уборки: мыть, протирать, приводить в порядок и т.д.
Например: Она убирается в квартире каждую неделю.
Clean your room. Уберись в комнате.
I cleaned the house. Я убралась в доме.
Произношение и перевод: Wash [wɒʃ] / [ваш] – помыть
Значение слова: Избавиться от грязи, с помощью воды и мыла
Употребление: Мы используем слово wash, когда говорим, что моем что-то водой и моющими средствами.
Например: Сегодня твоя очередь мыть посуду.
Wash your hands. Помой руки.
He washed his car. Он помыл машину.
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В чем разница? Слово clear , мы используем, когда что убираем беспорядок, расставляя вещи на свои места, расчищаем пространство, выкидываем мусор или что-то ненужное. Например: Уберись в шкафу.
Слово clean является общим, для всех видов уборки. Мы используем его, когда моем, протираем, приводим в порядок, расставляем и т.д. Например: Она весь день убиралась в квартире.
Слово wash , мы используем, когда говорим, что моем что-то водой и мылом/моющими средствами. Например: Она помыла полы.
Задание на закрепление
Вставьте правильные слова в следующие предложения. Свои ответы оставляйте в комментариях под статьей.
Do you wash windows, or clean them, or both?
my main question is what is the correct verb to precede the noun «windows» to indicate removal of dirt, etc.
The reason I ask is that despite being an English teacher I’m also Dutch, and sometimes I can’t tell for certain if something «sounds right» because of my Dutch or because of my English.
I had «to wash the windows» in a test, and a pupil asked if it shouldn’t be «to clean the windows». I couldn’t explain and really have no idea where to look for these kinds of usages.
3 Answers 3
After reading the other answers/comments, it seems like the preferred verb is a regional thing. J. Taylor commented that it’s «do windows» in American English — but, where I’ve lived in America, I’ve never heard that phrase. (For what it’s worth, it’s usually «wash» in the western US.)
Either «wash» or «clean» is valid as a verb here, and, for all intents and purposes, they mean the same thing. So, this might not be the best question for an English test. (;
For true window-washing enthusiasts, image searching on US-based Google reveals the most common uses of these phrases:
«window cleaner» -> a cleaning product
«window wiper» -> a squeegee
I had «to wash the windows» in a test, and a pupil asked if it shouldn’t be «to clean the windows». I couldn’t explain and really have no idea where to look for these kinds of usages.
Sorry but I think the kid is right 🙂
I think this is probably the right place to look. In England we have a profession called «window cleaners». Therefore clean the windows is used. We also use «wipe» the windows due to the action of wiping or windscreen wipers. Wash is usually used in a more encompassing sense. I wash the dog, I wash the car. But I don’t hose down the windows, I make them clean. When I shop I look for a window cleaning brush or a squeegee (like a hand held wiper blade). And yes, oddly, squeegee is used too.
Yes, in Spanish we say «limpiar las ventanas» (clean the windows). I want to know why they say: «wash the windows». Will there be any difference between the one and the other?
I think Mokay made a good point that generally washing something implies cleaning with some type of soap/cleaning solution; whereas, cleaning can be used more generally, and does not necessarily imply the application of any type of liquid cleaning agent.
Cleaning implies removing any of the following: impurities, clutter, dirt, etc., but washing implies the more specific action of cleaning with the use of soap and water or some other type of cleaning solution.
For example:
Arreglar el cuarto — straighten up your room: implies that there is clutter in the room, and that things need to be put back into their proper place. If I were to tell my children to perform this action on their room, I would most likely say «clean your room» or «straighten up your room» but never «wash your room.»
Lava los platos — wash the dishes: implies that the dishes are dirty and need to be cleaned. The actual act requires that they be cleaned with soap and relatively copious amounts of water, so we normally would say «wash the dishes,» but «clean the dishes» would be OK to use here as well. It would just not be as common.
Lava la ropa — wash the clothes: again like the dishes, you are using soap and large amounts of water to remove impurities/dirt from your clothing so «wash the clothes» would be the correct way to go. In this case, however, you would probably be hard-pressed to say clean the clothes in reference to the action of washing them in a washing machine. This is probably due to the advent of dry-cleaning because if you were to say to me, «I need to have my clothes cleaned» I would naturally assume that you meant that you needed to take them to the (dry) cleaners. I think that the word «clean» in reference to laundry is probably better usually only used as a modifier rather than as a verb. For example: «I like to have clean clothes/laundry.»
You also said in reference to the interior of a car you would say:
limpiar el interior del coche
Upon giving this some thought, I think that it would be very similar in English as well. If I were to say this in English I would probably use the somewhat idiomatic expression that uses the word «out» to imply that I am doing something to the interior of the car. For example: «I have to clean my car out today» or «I am going to clean the inside of my car out today.» I think that either of these would be how I would imply that I was going to remove any clutter/trash/misplaced items in my car and possibly that I was going to wipe off the dashboards etc with some type of spray on cleaning agent.
you also said:
And you can say: limpiar el coche (clean the car), lavar el coche (wash the car)
I believe this to be the same in English as well.
Earlier Qfreed said this:
I believe that in English there is no difference in meaning between wash the windows and clean the windows. There are products referred to as window (glass) cleaners and the product that you wash/clean your car’s windshield with is called windshield washer fluid.
I think that what he is getting at is that it would be equally acceptable to say that you are going to «wash the windows» and that you are going to «clean the windows.» I have heard the actual job (as in «employment») referred to as both a «window washer» and a «window cleaner.»
The bottom line is that each one of these acts can be considered an act of «cleaning.» Sometimes, however, there is a specific way of cleaning that is used for particular chores. For example, «Brush your teeth,» «straighten up your room,» **»wash the dishes,» «scrub the pots and pans,» «wash the windows,» «wipe off/down the table/bench/counters.» With each of these methods, the effect of your actions is that you are cleaning up some type of mess, so for many cases «clean» is interchangeable. I think that the distinction comes when one of the words becomes synonymous or is part of another distinct and commonly used phrase/idea (i.e a dentist’s «teeth cleaning» procedure; a «washing machine» and a «washboard» for washing clothes, etc). When this is the case, the broader term «clean» and the narrower more descriptive term «wash/brush/scrub/wipe, etc» are no longer as readily interchangeable.
I think then that it boils down to specificity because if I needed to clean my mouth out, this could imply more than one specific action (flossing, brushing, rinsing with a mouthwash). Others, such as cleaning the windows (as Qfreed alluded to) do not have as many options (I think that most people will agree that the correct way to clean a window is to give it a good washing with some type of liquid and then wipe the liquid away along with the dirt, much the same as the correct way to clean the dishes is to give them a good washing)
I think that I am repeating myself here, so I will stop and pray that this was not to painful to read, as I know that I have a terrible habit of droning on and on, ad nauseum, regarding a single point. I do hope, though, that if you did read this that it was able to help you in at least some small way.
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#1
If you cleaned the windows of your house by spraying water with a hose, you washed the windows.
If you used only window cleaning liquid and cloths to clean the windows, you didn’t wash the windows. You wiped the windows (you can of course just say «I cleaned the windows»).
If you only wiped the windows using cloths etc. containing water (from the bucket beside you), you didn’t wash the windows. You wiped them. Or does it depend on how watery the cloths etc. were?
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#2
If the windows were clean after whatever you did, we’d probably say either «I washed the windows» or «I cleaned the windows.» The use of wash does imply the use of significant amounts of water. I doubt if anyone would use «wiped» in this context.
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#3
If the windows were clean after whatever you did, we’d probably say either «I washed the windows» or «I cleaned the windows.»
Thanks Julian. So, that means that you can say you washed the windows even when you didn’t use water at all (as in the second example in the original post). I didn’t know that!
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#4
Thanks Julian. So, that means that you can say you washed the windows even when you didn’t use water at all (as in the second example in the original post). I didn’t know that!
![:thumbsup:]( "Thumbs Up :thumbsup:")
The use of wash does imply the use of significant quantities of water.
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#5
Thanks Julian, and sorry for misunderstanding the reply.
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#6
I don’t ever talk about ‘washing’ windows; my windows are ‘cleaned’.
I must get Bob to clean the windows, now that spring’s coming.
A person who cleans windows is a ‘window-cleaner’ not a ‘window-washer’. A person who cleans cars is a car-washer, presumably because a lot of water is used.
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#7
There seems to be window washers in Arizona (and probably in other areas too). Maybe they use a significant amount of water and really wash windows. Other than that, I agree that ‘washing windows’ sounds odd (except washing car windows). I should have realized it before posting.
Arizona Window Washers
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#8
I don’t ever talk about ‘washing’ windows; my windows are ‘cleaned’.
I must get Bob to clean the windows, now that spring’s coming.
A person who cleans windows is a ‘window-cleaner’ not a ‘window-washer’. A person who cleans cars is a car-washer, presumably because a lot of water is used.
Agreed. We have window cleaners who are paid to clean our windows.
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#9
I see that on the Arizona link they go on to talk about ‘window cleaning’.
In one place I lived the top floor windows were too high to be cleaned by climbing up a ladder. There is a company which uses hoses for such heights. I can’t remember how they dried them (or ‘wiped’ them dry).
Here’s a quotation from an English company offering such a service. Although the technique is called ‘Reach and Wash’, they still talk about ‘cleaning’ the windows.
Reach & Wash
We use a series a poles with a soft brush on the end. This enables us to clean up to the 6th floor without the use of ladders. It also means that we can clean windows other companies may have said were unaccessable. With a 100m hose pumping pure water through the brush we can clean front and back windows with ease.
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#10
If you cleaned the windows of your house by spraying water with a hose, you washed the windows.
If you used only window cleaning liquid and cloths to clean the windows, you didn’t wash the windows. You wiped the windows (you can of course just say «I cleaned the windows»).
If you only wiped the windows using cloths etc. containing water (from the bucket beside you), you didn’t wash the windows. You wiped them. Or does it depend on how watery the cloths etc. were?
I would use ‘washed’ or ‘cleaned’ for the first example and ‘cleaned’ for the second and third.
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#11
Thanks all. So, to sum it up, people clean windows. And they do it by wiping, washing (hosing), etc.
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#12
If the windows were clean after whatever you did, we’d probably say either «I washed the windows» or «I cleaned the windows.
I don’t ever talk about ‘washing’ windows; my windows are ‘cleaned’.
I have an impression BrE ‘cleans’ windows while AmE ‘cleans’ or ‘washes’ windows. Would you agree?
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#13
I have an impression BrE ‘cleans’ windows while AmE ‘cleans’ or ‘washes’ windows. Would you agree?
There is a leaning towards that usage, yes, but both expressions are used in both countries.
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#14
I never say ‘washed’ , personally. We have window cleaners in the UK, not window washers.
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#15
I never say ‘washed’ , personally. We have window cleaners in the UK, not window washers.
That’s right. I learnt that from George Formby .
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#16
That’s right. I learnt that from George Formby.
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#17
That’s right. I learnt that from George Formby
.
🤣🤣
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#18
It’s very common for these people in the U.S. to be called window washers.
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#19
It’s very common for these people in the U.S. to be called window washers.
Yes, for me, a window cleaner is something in a spray bottle.
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#20
I never say ‘washed’ , personally. We have window cleaners in the UK, not window washers.
And did you mean people or detergents?
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#21
People. That said, you could call the window cleaning detergent you use to clean windows ‘window cleaner’ too.
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#22
I believe this is a window cleaner in BrE, how about AmE? Cleaner or washer?
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#23
That’s not a window cleaner, it’s a window mop or a window sponge.
As a contrast to the photos in #18 and #22, here are a couple of British window cleaners:
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#24
So, to sum it up, people clean windows. And they do it by wiping, washing (hosing), etc.
In my AE speech, «wiping windows» is not cleaning windows. «Wiping» imples a superficial going-over, not an cleaning.
The people in the picture in #18 are window cleaners or window washers. Most likely they use a squeegee and liquid detergent. They may also use cloths.
If you only wiped the windows using cloths etc. containing water (from the bucket beside you), you didn’t wash the windows. You wiped them
If you used water in a bucket and detergent, you «washed» the windows. You didn’t «wipe» them. The word «wash» doesn’t imply a large quantity of free-flowing water.
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#25
I believe this is a window cleaner in BrE, how about AmE? Cleaner or washer?
Googling this picture reveals that Amazon UK calls it a window cleaner, and a window scrubber, whereas almost everywhere else calls it a window washer.
The manufacturers call it a window washer.
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#26
When you «wash» a car by hand, you use a sponge, soap, and a bucket of water. You don’t use water from a hose.
You use water from a hose to «rinse» the car (remove the soapy water), not to «wash» the car.
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#27
The Spanish translates to scrubber. I think that is probably closer to the truth.
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#28
Traditional window-cleaners (and householders) in UK use a special square of soft, thin leather of at least a foot (30cms), called a «shammy leather» — a corruption of «chamois leather», which I suppose was originally the material of which they were made. Nothing else does the job quite so well.
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#29
‘Shammy’ exists in the US also. I know of it only from washing and polishing cars, but I’m sure it works on American windows also
(I use water, vinegar and newsprint for window cleaning.)
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English (US)
@overtheworld
«Wash» has the sense of using soap and water to remove dirt.
«Wipe» is the action of moving your hand across something (in this case a towel or rag).
«Clean» is a general word for removing dirt or dust and can also be used to mean arrange or make presentable. Clean also focuses on the result of the action and not the means (unlike wash or wipe).
«He washed the window with soap and water.»
«He used a rag to wipe the windows.»
«First, he cleaned the windows, and then cleaned his room.»
You can add the means of cleaning to the verb «to clean» by use of the preposition «with».
«He cleaned the windows with Windex and some paper towels.»
«Wipe» and «wash» can also be used in conjunction with «clean» to emphasize the result.
«He wiped the windows clean.»
«She washed the dishes clean.»
However, this sounds more poetic and is not necessary is casual speech.
In casual speech some particles can be added to these verbs to slightly change their meanings:
«Clean up + noun»
«Clean + pronoun + up»
(organize, make presentable)
«Your room’s a mess! Clean it up now!»
«I just cleaned up my office.»
«Wipe + down+ noun»
(action of moving a rag in a downward motion to dry or clean something)
«When you’re finished with that, wipe down the table legs.»
«Wash + out + noun»
(informal way to say «wash», to be in a dull or colorless state)
«Are you feeling ok? You look all washed out.»
«Wash out the storage unit before the next customer rents it.»
«Wash out» can also mean «to be carried away by water».
«The survivors of the storm were washed out to sea and never seen again.»
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English (US)
@overtheworld
«Wash» has the sense of using soap and water to remove dirt.
«Wipe» is the action of moving your hand across something (in this case a towel or rag).
«Clean» is a general word for removing dirt or dust and can also be used to mean arrange or make presentable. Clean also focuses on the result of the action and not the means (unlike wash or wipe).
«He washed the window with soap and water.»
«He used a rag to wipe the windows.»
«First, he cleaned the windows, and then cleaned his room.»
You can add the means of cleaning to the verb «to clean» by use of the preposition «with».
«He cleaned the windows with Windex and some paper towels.»
«Wipe» and «wash» can also be used in conjunction with «clean» to emphasize the result.
«He wiped the windows clean.»
«She washed the dishes clean.»
However, this sounds more poetic and is not necessary is casual speech.
In casual speech some particles can be added to these verbs to slightly change their meanings:
«Clean up + noun»
«Clean + pronoun + up»
(organize, make presentable)
«Your room’s a mess! Clean it up now!»
«I just cleaned up my office.»
«Wipe + down+ noun»
(action of moving a rag in a downward motion to dry or clean something)
«When you’re finished with that, wipe down the table legs.»
«Wash + out + noun»
(informal way to say «wash», to be in a dull or colorless state)
«Are you feeling ok? You look all washed out.»
«Wash out the storage unit before the next customer rents it.»
«Wash out» can also mean «to be carried away by water».
«The survivors of the storm were washed out to sea and never seen again.»
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Korean
Thank you soooooooooo muchhhhhhhh!!!!!
I absolutely appreciate your super detail explanation.
Please wash the window.
Please wipe the window.
Please clean the window.
Are those all natural?
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English (US)
@overtheworld
You’re welcome 😊
They are all grammatical but have slightly different meanings and purposes.
If you say «wash» here, the window must be really dirty.
If you say «wipe», then maybe it just has a smudge on it, or it requires just a little bit of effort to make it look nice.
If you say «clean», you aren’t indicating how dirty it is. You just want the result.
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Korean
Thank you veryyyyyyyyy muchhhhhhhhh!!!!! 😀
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English (US)
@overtheworld
I’m glad I could help 😊 If you have any more questions about English, please follow me and watch my livestreams 🙏🏻
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Korean
Yeah sure! It helps me a lot
And I’ve already followed you lol
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English (US)
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