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trocknen

to dry

verb TROK-nen Rare

Usage Note

trocknen is both transitive (to dry something: die Wäsche trocknen) and intransitive (to become dry: die Wäsche trocknet an der Luft). Used for laundry, dishes, hair, surfaces, and food. Contrast with abtrocknen (to towel-dry dishes specifically).

Examples

"Die Wäsche trocknet im Sommer draußen in nur zwei Stunden."

Natural Translation

In summer the laundry dries outside in just two hours.

Literal Translation

The laundry dries in summer outside in only two hours.

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