Definitions

1. Verb:
   • To wash and iron (clothes, fabric items): The combined action of cleaning laundry (washing) and then removing wrinkles using a hot iron (ironing or pressing).
   • To launder and press: A more formal term for the complete process of cleaning and finishing textiles, often used for services.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cuối tuần, tôi thường dành thời gian để giặt là quần áo cho cả tuần. (On weekends, I usually spend time washing and ironing clothes for the whole week.)
  • Khách sạn này có dịch vụ giặt là rất nhanh chóng. (This hotel has a very fast laundry and pressing service.)
  • Áo sơ mi này cần được giặt là cẩn thận. (This shirt needs to be washed and ironed carefully.)

Advanced Usage

• "dịch vụ giặt là": laundry service (specifically including washing and ironing/pressing).
  • Tôi gửi áo vest ra tiệm giặt là. (I sent my suit to the dry cleaner's / laundry service.)
• The phrase implies a complete, finished result where items are clean, neat, and ready to wear.

Variants and Related Words

• Giặt (verb): to wash, to launder (specifically the cleaning action).
  • giặt tay (to hand-wash), giặt máy (to machine-wash).
• Là (ủi) (verb): to iron, to press (specifically the action of using an iron).
  • là phẳng (to iron flat/smooth).
• Giặt khô (verb phrase): to dry-clean (a specific cleaning method not using water).

Synonyms

• Giặt ủi: A direct synonym with identical meaning (to wash and iron).
• Làm sạch và là phẳng: A descriptive phrase meaning "to clean and press flat".

Notes on Meaning

• "Giặt là" refers specifically to the two-step domestic or service process for washable fabrics (like cotton, linen). It is distinct from "giặt khô" (dry cleaning), which is a chemical cleaning process for delicate fabrics.
• In the context of professional services, "giặt là" can be understood as "laundry service" (including washing, drying, and ironing).

1. Wash and iron, wash and press