Translating terms used on imported washing machines
Most washing machines on the Russian market have labels in Russian. But what if you like the machine, but the program labels are in English or German, such as rinse, hold, prewash, outdoor, or schleudern? This isn't a reason to reject the washing machine; translations of most common terms are available below.
Basic symbols in different languages
The most important button on a washing machine is the on/off button. On the Russified panel everything is clear, the button is labeled On/Off, but what about a foreign car? In English, such a button is labeled Start/Stop or On/Off, in German it looks like this Ein/Aus, in Italian Marchia/Arresto.
The maximum spin speed indicated on the panel, for example, 1000 rpm, is written as RPM in English, U/min in German, and Giri in Italian.
Additionally, the panel labels can be divided into several groups, such as basic modes and special (additional) ones. In English, these are designated as "main" and "special." In German, the English word "main" is designated as "Primar," while in Italian it's "base." Washing machines with electronic controls may have a "main menu" function, which refers to the main menu displayed on the display. Exclusive machines with remote control will also have a "main menu" button on the control panel.
Machine modes and functions in translation
Most of the terms on the washing machine's control panel refer to washing modes and functions. Some models can have up to 20 washing programs. Among foreign machines, the most common are washing machines with control panels in English, German and Italian. Here is a translation of common modes and functions.
Translation of English terms:
- wash – to wash (washing);
- prewash – preliminary (primary) wash;
- Intensive wash – wash intensively;
- quick (rapid) wash – fast (express) wash;
- hand wash (main wash) – manual;
- gentle wash – careful;
- daily wash – daily;
- super eco wash – super eco-wash;
- delicate wash – delicate;
- wash shoes – washing shoes;
- easy care – easy care, which involves washing lightly soiled items;
- rinse – rinsing;
- short rinse – short rinse;
- extra rinse
- outdoor care – refreshment;
- soak – the process of soaking;
- spin – the process of squeezing;
- no spin — no spinning;
- spin exclusion – cancel spinning;
- rinse +spin – rinse + spin;
- gentle spin — delicate spin;
- start delay (hold) – delay the start;
- water plus – “Water +” – consumption of more water during washing and rinsing;
- drain – water drainage;
- easy ironing – ironing function;
- drying – drying;
- eco drum clean – eco-friendly drum cleaning;
- hold stop – delay the end of the program;
- hold rinse – rinse hold.
Translation of terms from German:
- Waschen – washing;
- Pflegeleicht — gentle washing mode;
- Vorwasche — pre-wash;
- Intensive waschen – intensive washing;
- Waschen Schuh – washing shoes;
- Zeit sparen – economical (quick wash);
- Handwash – hand wash;
- Fine wash – delicate wash (for example, Fine 30 modes)0, Fein 400, Fein 600);
Please note: In most cases, the Fine Wash and Hand Wash modes are the same. - Mischwasche – mixed wash;
- Abpumpen — drain water from the tank;
- Knitter schutz - protection against wrinkles;
- Flecken - literal translation "spot";
- Kalt — cold water wash;
- Spulen – rinsing process;
- Bugelleicht — light ironing;
- Schleudern – wringing;
- Weichspulen (einweichen) – the process of soaking;
- Kurz schleudern – quick spin;
- Ohne schleudern – cancel spin;
- Spulen + Schleudern – rinse + spin;
- Schleudern drehzahl – spin speed;
- spul stop – interrupt rinsing;
- leicht bugeln – easy ironing;
- Outdoor – refreshment;
- Trocken – drying;
- Startzeit – program delay.
Translation of Italian symbols:
- lavaggio – washing;
- pre-lavaggio – pre-wash;
- forte lavaggio – intensive wash;
- lavaggio rapido – quick wash;
- ammorbidente — soft regime;
- lavaggio a mano – hand wash;
- risciacqui — rinsing;
- trattamenti – rinsing with conditioner;
- centrifuga – spinning;
- ammollo – soaking;
- Exclusione – cancel spin;
- facile stiratura (Stira meno) – easy ironing;
- Asciugatura – drying;
- Ritardatore di partenza – program delay.
Important! Many washing machines, in addition to the labels, have symbols that can also be used to identify the mode and function.
All the symbols that the control panel may contain are described in the article. Signs on the washing machine.
Names of fabrics in different languages
In addition to the terms listed above, the washing machine's control panel also contains information about the type and color of fabric. Each fabric requires a specific washing cycle, so it's important to know the translations of these terms into different languages.
Fabric names in English:
- Cotton – cotton;
- Synthetic – synthetic;
- delicate things – delicate things;
- colored things – colored things;
- dark things (fabric) – dark things;
- Strong fabric – durable fabric;
- Silk – silk;
- Wool – wool;
- Jeans – jeans;
- sports clothes – sportswear;
- mix things – mixed things.
German names of fabrics:
- baumwolle – cotton;
- synthetik – synthetics;
- fein – delicate fabric;
- Bunt – colored things;
- dark things (fabric) – dark things;
- koch – durable fabric;
- seide – silk products;
- wolle – woolen items;
- jeans – jeans;
- sportkleidung – sportswear;
- mischgewebe – mixed fabrics.
Fabric names in Italian:
- cotone – cotton;
- sintetico – synthetic;
- delicato tessuto – delicate things;
- roba colorata – colored things;
- camicia – shirt;
- cose scure – dark things (fabric);
- Resistente tessuto – durable fabric;
- seta – silk products;
- lana – woolen things;
- jeans – jeans;
- sportivo – sportswear;
- tessuto misto – mixed fabrics.
Examples of imported cars with foreign designations
In Russia, there's a thriving market for used washing machines from Europe and America, including brands like Bosch, Miele, Samsung, Siemens, Indesit, and others. Technical documentation for these machines is typically missing. Even if documentation is available, it's not translated into Russian. Even the control panel isn't translated into Russian, which leaves most Russian consumers confused. Here are some specific examples of washing machine brands that have such a panel.
Samsung WF1124ZAC
Hoover DYSM 81340
Indesit PWE 8148
Finally, it's worth noting that there can be many terms for the same washing mode. These terms may be labeled differently in different models. For example, the main modes can be labeled three different ways: main, basic, and primary. If you didn't find what you were looking for in our article, try using any online translator. However, translators don't provide definitions for the words. For example, the Italian word "trattamenti" literally translates as "processing," while the English word "outdoor" literally translates as "refreshing."
How to decipher these words when applied to washing machine modes is a big question. One can draw an analogy and compare the image of a Russian-language washing machine control panel with a foreign-language one. Only then will obscure inscriptions like "main," "trattamenti," and "outdoor" acquire a clear meaning.
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Here's another German one:
flecken - a stain, I think it's for dirty clothes.
Thanks for the translation, all the best!
"Extra" what does it mean?
Thanks for your help!
I found all the answers to my questions. Thank you very much!
Thank you!
What does RH mean when setting the spin cycle for wool items?
What does the mix mode mean on an LG washing machine?
Thanks for the post
My AEG washing machine has a blue label that says "Wool hand wash safe." The instructions also state that this is a certification mark from the Woolmark Company and the color is blue. I found on Google Images that there are also gray and green labels. What does the color of the label mean?
Ford Start in a Husqvarna machine