Frame description

In this frame, a Cleaner cleans a location, object or entity (the Cleaned) by removing some entities or substance (Mess) that are aesthetically or hygienically undesirable. In some cases, the Cleaner uses some cleaning Instrument (e.g. brush, vacuum) and/or Medium (e.g. soap, water) to assist with the cleaning.

Examples:

1. Helene putzte täglich die Küche.1. Helene cleaned the kitchen daily.
2. Du musst die schmutzige Wäsche waschen.2. You have to wash the dirty laundry.
3. Die Reinigungsfirma bringt das Gebäude mit Putzmittel und Dampfstrahlern wieder auf Hochglanz.3. The cleaning company brings the building  with cleaning agents and steam jets back to a high shine.

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Details
Examples
Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
Alternate Forms

Frame Elements

Frame Element descriptions (on hover):

Cleaner

The person who does the cleaning.

Cleaned

The area or object that the Cleaner cleans.

Mess

The undesired substance or entities that the Cleaner removes from the Cleaned.

Instrument

The instrument that aids the Cleaner in cleaning.

Medium

The material, typically a liquid or powder, that is used to clean.

Details
Examples
Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
Alternate Forms
See All Information
abräumen verb to clear away

Details:

to clear (away)

This separable-prefix verb is usually used when someone (the Cleaner) clears a table for instance after a meal, i.e. they take away the dirty dishes, utensils, left-over food, etc. so that the table is empty and ready for the next intended use. In adjective form, "abgeräumt" means "cleared," as in: "Das Abendbrot für drei Personen ist noch nicht abgeräumt" ("The dinner for three is not yet cleared"). See the grammar note for more details on this usage.

 

Further details:

 In a figurative sense, this verb is also used to describe a situation (not in the Cleaning frame) when someone wins a game that usually involves some form of compensation, for example, "er hat bei der Poker-WM abgeräumt," "he cleaned up at the poker world series."

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abräumen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abr%C3%A4umen>, abgerufen am 22.07.2021

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Example Sentences:

  1. Sie räumt das Geschirr ab.
  2. Martin räumte den Tisch ab.
  3. Die Arbeiter räumen den Schutt von der Baustelle ab.
  4. Wenn ich bei anderen Gästen das Essen abräumte, war der Tisch meist übersät mit Essensresten und Abfällen.
  5. Alle Tische wurden schon abgeräumt.
  1. She clears the dishes away.
  2. Martin cleared the table.
  3. The workers clear the rubble from the construction site.
  4. Whenever I cleared the food for other guests, the table was usually littered with food scraps and waste.
  5. All tables were being already cleared.
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Grammar:

Verbs with Separable Prefixes

Some verbs have a prefix that moves around in the sentence, depending on what form the verb takes. You can expect the prefix to appear at the end of the sentence or clause, but whether the verb appears there with it depends on the rest of the sentence (tense, presence of a modal verb, etc.). In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached, like "ausgehen" ("to go out"). If the verb is conjugated (in present or simple past tense), the prefix appears at the end of the clause, as in "Ich gehe heute Abend aus" ("I am going out tonight"). The chart below shows several structural variants for these kinds of verbs. For more information, see the examples for individual verbs in the G-FOL or read these explanations from Grimm Grammar: present tense, conversational past tense (Perfekt).

Die erste Stelle (first position)V2 (verb 2nd)Rest (the rest of the info)am Ende (at the end)
Am Samstagabendgeheich mit Freundenaus.
Ichgingam Samstagabend mit Freunden aus.
Mit Freundenbinich am Samstagabendausgegangen.
Wanngeheich mit Freundenaus?
Ichkannnicht am Samstagabend mit Freunden ausgehen.

Making Adjectives from Verbs

In German (just as in English), the past participles of verbs (with the "-ed" ending in English) can be used as adjectives, known as "participial adjectives." Add an adjective ending when appropriate. Even a verb's present participle can be used as an adjective. This form of the verb is similar in meaning to English "ing"-forms, and is formed in German by adding a "d" (and an adjective ending, if necessary) to the infinitive form of the verb. Adjectives formed in this way apply to the type of frame element that would fill the subject role of the verb (e.g. "überraschend," "surprising" applies to a Stimulus).

Example: enttäuschen ("to disappoint"), überraschen ("to surprise") (normal use as verbs)

     Jens enttäuscht seine Mutter. ("Jens disappoints his mother.")

     Das Ende der Geschichte überrascht Lena. ("The end of the story surprises Lena.")

Adjectives from Past Participles: 

Example: enttäuschen ("to disappoint") > enttäuscht

     Seine Mutter war enttäuscht, dass er bei der Prüfung durchgefallen ist. ("His mother was disappointed that he failed the test.")

     Die enttäuschte Mutter weint. ("The disappointed mother cries.")

The way frame elements are realized with the verb determine what the adjective can be used to describe. Details are given in the table below.

Subject of VerbDirect ObjectAdjective applies to:Examples
Stimulus  Experiencer  Experiencer  aufgeregt ("worked up"), schockiert ("shocked"), enttäuscht ("disappointed")
Experiencer  Content or StimulusContent or Stimulusgefürchtet ("feared"), gehasst ("hated"), geliebt ("loved")

*Note that this is not the same as passive voice, which also uses a past participle. See Grimm Grammar for infomation about passive.

Adjectives from Present Participles:

Example: überraschen > überraschend ("surprising")

     Das Ende der Geschichte war überraschend. ("The end of the story was surprising.")

     Das war ein überraschendes Ende. ("That was a surprising ending.")

 

 

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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CLEANER räumt CLEANED ab.
  2. CLEANER räumt MESS ab.
  3. CLEANER räumt MESS von CLEANED ab.
  1. CLEANER clears CLEANED.
  2. CLEANER clears MESS away.
  3. CLEANER clears MESS from CLEANED.
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Details:

to clear (away)

This separable-prefix verb is usually used when someone (the Cleaner) clears a table for instance after a meal, i.e. they take away the dirty dishes, utensils, left-over food, etc. so that the table is empty and ready for the next intended use. In adjective form, "abgeräumt" means "cleared," as in: "Das Abendbrot für drei Personen ist noch nicht abgeräumt" ("The dinner for three is not yet cleared"). See the grammar note for more details on this usage.

 

Further details:

 In a figurative sense, this verb is also used to describe a situation (not in the Cleaning frame) when someone wins a game that usually involves some form of compensation, for example, "er hat bei der Poker-WM abgeräumt," "he cleaned up at the poker world series."

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abräumen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abr%C3%A4umen>, abgerufen am 22.07.2021

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Alternate Forms:

(er) räumt ab, räumte ab, hat abgeräumt
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abtrocknen verb to dry the dishes

Details:

to dry the dishes

The separable-prefix verb "abtrocknen" is used when a Cleaner dries the dishes with a dishtowel / tea towel ("das Trockentuch," "das Geschirrtuch"). You can include the direct object "das Geschirr" (or more specific words like for instance "die Teller" ("plates") or "das Besteck" ("silverware") as the Cleaned) but it is not obligatory. The dishtowel (Instrument) is often not mentioned in the sentence since it is an integral part of the word meaning. 

Er trocknet ab. / He is drying the dishes.

 

Sie wäscht ab, er trocknet ab. / She is washing the dishes, he is drying the dishes.

Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-59747-0001 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE 

Further details:

Word formation:

"das Abtrockentuch" ("dishtowel")

Synonym:

"trocknen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abtrocknen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abtrocknen>, abgerufen am 05.08.2021.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Manfred trocknet in der Küche ab.
  2. Du spülst die Gläser und dann trocknest du sie mit einem sauberen Geschirrtuch ab.
  3. Martha steht im Sommerkleid an der Spüle und trocknet das Geschirr ab.
  4. Ich trockne nicht gern ab.
  5. Angela hilft ihrem Bruder beim Abtrocknen.
  6. Man soll den Topf ausspülen und nicht abtrocknen.
  1. Manfred dries the dishes in the kitchen.
  2. You rinse the glasses and then you dry them with a clean dishtowel.
  3. Martha stands in her summer dress at the kitchen sink and dries the dishes.
  4. I don't like drying the dishes.
  5. Angela helps her brother with drying the dishes.
  6. One should rinse out the pot and not dry it.
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Grammar:

Verbs with Separable Prefixes

Some verbs have a prefix that moves around in the sentence, depending on what form the verb takes. You can expect the prefix to appear at the end of the sentence or clause, but whether the verb appears there with it depends on the rest of the sentence (tense, presence of a modal verb, etc.). In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached, like "ausgehen" ("to go out"). If the verb is conjugated (in present or simple past tense), the prefix appears at the end of the clause, as in "Ich gehe heute Abend aus" ("I am going out tonight"). The chart below shows several structural variants for these kinds of verbs. For more information, see the examples for individual verbs in the G-FOL or read these explanations from Grimm Grammar: present tense, conversational past tense (Perfekt).

Die erste Stelle (first position)V2 (verb 2nd)Rest (the rest of the info)am Ende (at the end)
Am Samstagabendgeheich mit Freundenaus.
Ichgingam Samstagabend mit Freunden aus.
Mit Freundenbinich am Samstagabendausgegangen.
Wanngeheich mit Freundenaus?
Ichkannnicht am Samstagabend mit Freunden ausgehen.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CLEANER trocknet ab.
  2. CLEANER trocknet Geschirr ab.
  3. CLEANER trocknet CLEANED ab.
  1. CLEANER dries the dishes.
  2. CLEANER dries the dishes.
  3. CLEANER dries CLEANED.
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Details:

to dry the dishes

The separable-prefix verb "abtrocknen" is used when a Cleaner dries the dishes with a dishtowel / tea towel ("das Trockentuch," "das Geschirrtuch"). You can include the direct object "das Geschirr" (or more specific words like for instance "die Teller" ("plates") or "das Besteck" ("silverware") as the Cleaned) but it is not obligatory. The dishtowel (Instrument) is often not mentioned in the sentence since it is an integral part of the word meaning. 

Er trocknet ab. / He is drying the dishes.

 

Sie wäscht ab, er trocknet ab. / She is washing the dishes, he is drying the dishes.

Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-59747-0001 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE 

Further details:

Word formation:

"das Abtrockentuch" ("dishtowel")

Synonym:

"trocknen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abtrocknen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abtrocknen>, abgerufen am 05.08.2021.

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Alternate Forms:

(er) trocknet ab, trocknete ab, hat abgetrocknet
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abwaschen verb to do the dishes, to wash the dishes

Details:

to do the dishes, to wash the dishes

The separable-prefix verb "abwaschen" is used in German when a Cleaner washes the dirty dishes by hand with water and dish soap. You can include the direct object "das Geschirr" ("the dishes;" or more specific words like for instance "die Tassen" ("cups") or "das Besteck" ("silverware") as the Cleaned) but it is not obligatory. The water and soap (Medium) as well as the sponge or cloth (Instrument) are not mentioned since they are part of the word meaning. Variants are "das Geschirr spülen ("er spült (das) Geschirr"), "das Geschirr abspülen" ("er spült das Geschirr ab"), "aufwaschen" ("er wäscht auf," regional), "den Abwasch machen / erledigen" ("er macht / erledigt den Abwasch"); they all refer to the same action: "to do / wash the dishes." The drying of the dishes with a towel, however, is not included in the meaning of these phrases, that would be "abtrocknen" ("er trocknet (das Geschirr) ab," "he dries the dishes;" see entry in this frame).

Sie wäscht die Teller in der Spüle ab. / She washes the dishes in the sink.

 

Marita Koch beim Abwaschen, 1985 / Marita Koch washing the dishes, 1985

Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1985-1217-021 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE 

Further details:

Word formation:

"das Abwaschbecken" ("sink"), "das Abwaschmittel" ("dish soap"), "abwaschbar" ("washable")

Synonyms:

"spülen," "aufwaschen," "den Abwasch erledigen / machen," "Geschirr spülen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abwaschen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abwaschen>, abgerufen am 05.08.2021.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Jutta wäscht jeden Abend ab.
  2. Helmut wäscht gemeinsam mit seiner Frau ab.
  3. Die Kinder waschen das Geschirr ab.
  4. Ich wasche die Teller ab, du wäschst die Gläser ab.
  5. Ich muss noch das Geschirr abwaschen.
  1. Jutta does / washes the dishes every evening.
  2. Helmut does the dishes together with his wife.
  3. The children do / wash the dishes.
  4. I wash the plates, you wash the glasses.
  5. I still have to wash the dishes.
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Grammar:

Verbs with Separable Prefixes

Some verbs have a prefix that moves around in the sentence, depending on what form the verb takes. You can expect the prefix to appear at the end of the sentence or clause, but whether the verb appears there with it depends on the rest of the sentence (tense, presence of a modal verb, etc.). In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached, like "ausgehen" ("to go out"). If the verb is conjugated (in present or simple past tense), the prefix appears at the end of the clause, as in "Ich gehe heute Abend aus" ("I am going out tonight"). The chart below shows several structural variants for these kinds of verbs. For more information, see the examples for individual verbs in the G-FOL or read these explanations from Grimm Grammar: present tense, conversational past tense (Perfekt).

Die erste Stelle (first position)V2 (verb 2nd)Rest (the rest of the info)am Ende (at the end)
Am Samstagabendgeheich mit Freundenaus.
Ichgingam Samstagabend mit Freunden aus.
Mit Freundenbinich am Samstagabendausgegangen.
Wanngeheich mit Freundenaus?
Ichkannnicht am Samstagabend mit Freunden ausgehen.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CLEANER wäscht ab.
  2. CLEANER wäscht das Geschirr ab.
  3. CLEANER wäscht CLEANED ab.
  1. CLEANER does / washes the dishes.
  2. CLEANER does / washes the dishes.
  3. CLEANER washes CLEANED.
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Details:

to do the dishes, to wash the dishes

The separable-prefix verb "abwaschen" is used in German when a Cleaner washes the dirty dishes by hand with water and dish soap. You can include the direct object "das Geschirr" ("the dishes;" or more specific words like for instance "die Tassen" ("cups") or "das Besteck" ("silverware") as the Cleaned) but it is not obligatory. The water and soap (Medium) as well as the sponge or cloth (Instrument) are not mentioned since they are part of the word meaning. Variants are "das Geschirr spülen ("er spült (das) Geschirr"), "das Geschirr abspülen" ("er spült das Geschirr ab"), "aufwaschen" ("er wäscht auf," regional), "den Abwasch machen / erledigen" ("er macht / erledigt den Abwasch"); they all refer to the same action: "to do / wash the dishes." The drying of the dishes with a towel, however, is not included in the meaning of these phrases, that would be "abtrocknen" ("er trocknet (das Geschirr) ab," "he dries the dishes;" see entry in this frame).

Sie wäscht die Teller in der Spüle ab. / She washes the dishes in the sink.

 

Marita Koch beim Abwaschen, 1985 / Marita Koch washing the dishes, 1985

Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1985-1217-021 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE 

Further details:

Word formation:

"das Abwaschbecken" ("sink"), "das Abwaschmittel" ("dish soap"), "abwaschbar" ("washable")

Synonyms:

"spülen," "aufwaschen," "den Abwasch erledigen / machen," "Geschirr spülen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„abwaschen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/abwaschen>, abgerufen am 05.08.2021.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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Alternate Forms:

(er) wäscht ab, wusch ab, hat abgewaschen
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aufräumen verb to clean up, to tidy up

Details:

to clean up, to tidy up

This separable-prefix verb has a slightly narrower use than English "to clean up;" it is usually used when someone (the Cleaner) puts objects back in their original places or into the trash (and not when there is scrubbing and soap involved). In contrast to English, "aufräumen" is not used with the Mess as a direct object but rather the Cleaned. So, "aufräumen" is used to describe cleaning up a messy room, but not for cleaning up spilled milk or cleaning a toilet.

In some cases, this verb is used with a negative connotation to describe an action that is being taken to remove undesired persons or features from an area, e.g. "Die Regierung will offenbar in den Reihen der Polizei aufräumen" ("The government wants to apparently clean up in the ranks of the police").

Sie räumt die Küche auf. / She is cleaning up the kitchen.

Joe Shlabotnik, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Further details:

Word formation:

"aufgeräumt" ("tidy," "clean," also "cheerful")

Synoyms:

"(etwas) wegräumen," "etwas in Ordnung bringen," "etwas / alles an seinen Platz räumen," "Ordnung schaffen," "etwas auf Vordermann bringen" (fig.), "klar Schiff machen" (fig.)

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„aufräumen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/aufr%C3%A4umen>, abgerufen am 22.07.2021.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Jugendliche räumen nie auf.
  2. Er räumte sein Zimmer auf.
  3. Heute müssen wir die Zimmer ordentlich aufräumen.
  4. Das Zimmermädchen hat einen Schlüssel und wird inzwischen aufräumen.
  5. Wann hast du zum letzten Mal aufgeräumt?
  6. Die Kinder müssen ihr Zimmer aufräumen.
  7. Ich will nicht aufräumen. Das macht mir keinen Spaß.
  8. Wer macht bei euch den Haushalt? - Meine Frau und ich machen den Haushalt zusammen: Ich wasche die Wäsche und sie putzt und räumt auf.
  1. Young people never clean up.
  2. He cleaned up his room.
  3. Today we must clean up the rooms neatly.
  4. The chamber maid has a key and will meanwhile clean up.
  5. When was the last time you cleaned up?
  6. The children have to clean up their room.
  7. I don't want to clean up. That's not fun for me.
  8. Who does the household chores in your family? - My wife and I do the household chores together: I wash the laundry and she cleans and straightens up.
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Grammar:

Verbs with Separable Prefixes

Some verbs have a prefix that moves around in the sentence, depending on what form the verb takes. You can expect the prefix to appear at the end of the sentence or clause, but whether the verb appears there with it depends on the rest of the sentence (tense, presence of a modal verb, etc.). In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached, like "ausgehen" ("to go out"). If the verb is conjugated (in present or simple past tense), the prefix appears at the end of the clause, as in "Ich gehe heute Abend aus" ("I am going out tonight"). The chart below shows several structural variants for these kinds of verbs. For more information, see the examples for individual verbs in the G-FOL or read these explanations from Grimm Grammar: present tense, conversational past tense (Perfekt).

Die erste Stelle (first position)V2 (verb 2nd)Rest (the rest of the info)am Ende (at the end)
Am Samstagabendgeheich mit Freundenaus.
Ichgingam Samstagabend mit Freunden aus.
Mit Freundenbinich am Samstagabendausgegangen.
Wanngeheich mit Freundenaus?
Ichkannnicht am Samstagabend mit Freunden ausgehen.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CLEANER räumt auf.
  2. CLEANER räumt CLEANED auf.
  1. CLEANER cleans up.
  2. CLEANER cleans up CLEANED.
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Details:

to clean up, to tidy up

This separable-prefix verb has a slightly narrower use than English "to clean up;" it is usually used when someone (the Cleaner) puts objects back in their original places or into the trash (and not when there is scrubbing and soap involved). In contrast to English, "aufräumen" is not used with the Mess as a direct object but rather the Cleaned. So, "aufräumen" is used to describe cleaning up a messy room, but not for cleaning up spilled milk or cleaning a toilet.

In some cases, this verb is used with a negative connotation to describe an action that is being taken to remove undesired persons or features from an area, e.g. "Die Regierung will offenbar in den Reihen der Polizei aufräumen" ("The government wants to apparently clean up in the ranks of the police").

Sie räumt die Küche auf. / She is cleaning up the kitchen.

Joe Shlabotnik, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Further details:

Word formation:

"aufgeräumt" ("tidy," "clean," also "cheerful")

Synoyms:

"(etwas) wegräumen," "etwas in Ordnung bringen," "etwas / alles an seinen Platz räumen," "Ordnung schaffen," "etwas auf Vordermann bringen" (fig.), "klar Schiff machen" (fig.)

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„aufräumen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/aufr%C3%A4umen>, abgerufen am 22.07.2021.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

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Alternate Forms:

(er) räumt auf, räumte auf, hat aufgeräumt
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Besen, der noun broom

Details:

broom

A "Besen" is a tool that Cleaners use to sweep with. It consists of bundles of bristles, hair or rods, brushwood and has a handle. It used like its English equivalent "broom," often in combination with the preposition "mit" ("with;" "mit dem Besen").

 

Einer der größten Besen / one of biggest brooms

Richard Mayer, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Besenwirtschaft in Sachsen an der Elbe / seasonal wine restaurant in Saxonia on the river Elbe