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German Phrase

Gibt's hier eine Waschmaschine?

/ɡɪpt͡s hiːɐ̯ ˈaɪ̯nə ˈvaʃmaʃiːnə/
Meaning"Is there a washing machine here?"
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Meaning

The speaker is asking whether a washing machine is available at the current location, such as a hostel, apartment, or laundromat. It is a practical, everyday question for travelers or new residents.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you need to find out if you can do laundry on site – in a dormitory, a shared flat, a hotel, or a public laundry room. It works best in informal or semi‑formal settings; for very formal contexts add a polite opener like 'Entschuldigung'.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Gibt'shiereineWaschmaschine?

1

Gibt's (Gibt es)

The impersonal verb geben is used with the dummy subject 'es'. In spoken German the 'es' is often contracted to 's' after the verb, forming 'Gibt's'.

2

Position of 'hier'

'Hier' (here) is placed directly after the verb phrase to specify location.

3

Indefinite article 'eine'

'Eine' marks the noun as singular, feminine, and indefinite.

4

Noun gender

'Waschmaschine' is a feminine noun, so it takes the article 'eine' in the nominative case.

5

Question mark

In German, the whole sentence is a yes‑no question; the intonation rises at the end.

🗨In Conversation

A

Entschuldigung, gibt's hier eine Waschmaschine?

Excuse me, is there a washing machine here?

Ja, im Keller gibt es eine. Sie ist um 22 Uhr gesperrt.

Yes, there is one in the basement. It’s locked after 10 p.m.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Gibt hier eine Waschmaschine?

    Missing the dummy subject 'es' (or its contraction) makes the sentence ungrammatical.

  • Gibt's hier ein Waschmaschine?

    The noun 'Waschmaschine' is feminine, so the article must be 'eine', not 'ein'.

  • Gibt's hier Waschmaschine?

    The indefinite article is required before a singular countable noun.

↔Alternatives

  • Gibt es hier eine Waschmaschine?

    Is there a washing machine here?

  • Hat man hier eine Waschmaschine?

    Does one have a washing machine here?

  • Könnte ich hier eine Waschmaschine benutzen?

    Could I use a washing machine here?

de

Cultural Tip

In German-speaking hostels and shared apartments, laundry facilities are often communal. Asking politely with 'Entschuldigung' or 'Bitte' shows respect. The contracted form 'Gibt's' is common in spoken, everyday German but should be avoided in formal writing or official emails.