![\"Clothes\"](\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/165\/412164478_ce0b3c89fb.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo by cleanwalmart on flickr.com under a CC license (CC BY 2.0)<\/p><\/div>\n
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There are actually several German words for clothes<\/strong>:<\/p>\n die Kleidung <\/strong>(also sometimes die Bekleidung<\/strong>).<\/p>\n die Klamotten.<\/strong><\/p>\n das Gewand.<\/strong><\/p>\n die Anziehsachen.<\/strong><\/p>\n What is the difference between these words? First of all, they all mean \u2018clothes\u2019 in one way or another.<\/strong> So despite the fact that I\u2019ve written an entire post on them, don\u2019t stress too much about which one to use! But, for the purposes of learning, I will try to explain the differences between them now.<\/p>\n Die Kleidung<\/strong> (also die Bekleidung<\/em>) is the most general word for ‘clothes’. Unlike English, where you say ‘My clothes are<\/strong> comfortable’, in German you say ‘My clothes is<\/strong> comfortable’ (‘Meine Kleidung ist bequem’<\/em>). There is a similar word, die Kleider<\/strong>, which also means ‘clothes’. But the word Kleider is also the plural of das Kleid – a dress<\/strong>. So be aware of the context when hearing or reading the word Kleider – are they talking about dresses specifically, or clothes in general?<\/p>\n Bunte Kleidung – bright clothes. Photo: 63405864@N04 on flickr.com under a CC license (CC BY-SA 2.0)<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Die Anziehsachen <\/strong>is the most literal of the bunch, with a translation of ‘the things to put on\/wear’. It comes from the words anziehen<\/strong> – to put on\/wear, and die Sachen<\/strong> – things. This word has a very functional, no-frills feel to it. You might use it when saying what you’ve packed in an overnight bag, for example.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I would say you use Die Klamotten <\/strong>to talk about clothes in a less formal, sometimes pejorative way \u2013 like when there\u2019s a dirty pile of clothes you want someone to put in the washing basket. It is never used in a formal way – it is more colloquial. Some say it\u2019s the German equivalent of calling clothes \u2018clobber\u2019, \u2018gear\u2019 or \u2018scrubs\u2019. But it can also be used as a general term for clothes, \u2013 again, context is important. However, I\u2019d say if you wanted to talk about clothes in a negative way, this word is your best bet!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Klamotten? Photo: zerolives on flickr.com under a CC license (CC BY 2.0)<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Finally, Das Gewand <\/strong>is one I am very familiar with, though it might not be immediately obvious. Das Gewand<\/strong> is simply another word for Kleidung<\/em>, predominantly used in southern Germany & Austria. Sometimes it gets translated as \u2018garment\u2019. So if you see the word Gewand <\/strong>anywhere, just know it\u2019s another German word for clothes<\/em>. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, to summarise:<\/p>\n die (Be)Kleidung<\/strong> \u2013 Clothes\/clothing\/outfit\/attire <\/p>\n Finally, just like in English, when clothes go into the washing basket, come out of the washing machine, or hang on a washing line, they transform from Kleidung\/Anziehsachen\/Klamotten\/Gewand into die W\u00e4sche <\/strong>\u2013 the washing\/laundry. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n![\"PA010055\"](\"https:\/\/farm9.staticflickr.com\/8450\/8051726928_e00669cb63.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"WHODUNIT\"](\"https:\/\/farm3.staticflickr.com\/2058\/2180412629_a2b64ed433.jpg\")
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\n(die Kleider<\/strong> \u2013 The plural of das Kleid (dress), and another, less common word for clothes)<\/em>
\ndie Anziehsachen <\/strong>– Simple, ‘functional’ term for clothes
\ndie Klamotten<\/strong> \u2013 More colloquial term for clothes; sometimes also used pejoratively
\ndas Gewand<\/strong> \u2013 Regional term for clothes (southern Germany, Austria)<\/p>\n
![\"clothes](\"https:\/\/farm3.staticflickr.com\/2834\/13443393815_3df7689624.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/04\/412164478_ce0b3c89fb-350x263.jpg\")