빨래하다 (ppal-rae-ha-da, ppalraehada) · 세탁하다 (se-tak-ha-da, setakhada)
빨래하다 is a casual, hand-washing focused term, while 세탁하다 is a formal term covering machine and professional laundry.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Casual expression for washing clothes or fabrics by hand or simple methods
When to use
hand washing at home, casual conversation, simple laundry
The nuance
빨래하다 is mainly used for hand-washing clothes at home or simple washing, natural in everyday conversation.
Formal and broad term for laundry including machine washing or professional cleaning
When to use
using washing machine, professional laundry, formal contexts
The nuance
세탁하다 is mainly used in formal or broad contexts like using washing machines or professional laundry services.
나는 오늘 빨래했어.
na-neun o-neul ppal-rae-haess-eo., na neun o neul ppal rae haess eo.
Natural expression for casual laundry including hand washing.
나는 오늘 세탁했어.
na-neun o-neul se-tak-haess-eo., na neun o neul se tak haess eo.
Natural formal expression including machine or professional laundry.
세탁소에서 빨래했어요.
se-tak-so-e-seo ppal-rae-haess-eo-yo., se tak so e seo ppal rae haess eo yo.
At a laundry shop, use '세탁하다'; '빨래하다' is too casual and inappropriate.
손으로 세탁했어요.
son-eu-ro se-tak-haess-eo-yo., son eu ro se tak haess eo yo.
Even hand washing can be formally expressed as '세탁하다'.
빨래가 너무 많아서 세탁기 돌렸어요.
ppal-rae-ga neo-mu man-a-seo se-tak-gi dol-ryeoss-eo-yo., ppal rae ga neo mu man a seo se tak gi dol ryeoss eo yo.
Casual sentence naturally linking laundry and washing machine use.
빨래소에 갔어요.
ppal-rae-so-e gass-eo-yo., ppal rae so e gass eo yo.
'빨래소' is a non-existent word; use '세탁소'.
세탁기가 고장 나서 빨래했어요.
se-tak-gi-ga go-jang na-seo ppal-rae-haess-eo-yo., se tak gi ga go jang na seo ppal rae haess eo yo.
Natural sentence meaning hand washing due to broken washing machine.
빨래기를 돌렸어요.
ppal-rae-gi-reul dol-ryeoss-eo-yo., ppal rae gi reul dol ryeoss eo yo.
'빨래기' is incorrect; use '세탁기'.
Which is the most natural expression when leaving clothes at a laundry shop?
Which is the most natural expression for hand-washing clothes?
Which expression can be used when washing clothes at home due to a broken washing machine?
