食器洗(しょっきあら)い

食器洗(しょっきあら)い is a compound of 食器(しょっき) (dishes/tableware) + 洗(あら)い (washing). Refers to the act of washing dishes or a person who washes dishes.

Common patterns

• 食器洗(しょっきあら)いをする: to wash the dishes
• 食器洗(しょっきあら)い機(き): dishwasher (machine)
• 食洗機(しょくせんき): dishwasher (common abbreviation)

Similar words

• 皿洗(さらあら)い: dish washing (slightly more casual, literally 'plate washing')
• 洗(あら)い物(もの): things to be washed (dishes, laundry)

Cultural note

In Japanese households, 食器洗(しょっきあら)い is one of the common 家事(かじ) (household chores). 食洗機(しょくせんき) (dishwashers) are becoming more popular but are still less common than in Western countries.