Definition
A person, typically in South Asia, whose profession is washing clothes for others, often by hand near rivers or water sources.
Etymology
From Hindi dhobi, derived from Sanskrit dhavanam (washing). This occupational term entered English during colonial India and reflects a traditional caste-based profession in Indian society.
Kelly Says
Dhobis were essential to colonial India and are still important today—they developed ingenious techniques for removing stains without damaging fabrics, some of which modern laundries still can't replicate.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
አ waschen
a-wa-shen
CACatalà
rentador
ren-ta-dor
CSČeština
pralce
prahl-tse
DEDeutsch
Waschmann
vash-man
ELΕλληνικά
πλυντηριός
plin-tee-ree-os
ESEspañol
lavandero
la-van-deh-roh
FAفارسی
لباسشویی
lab-as-shoo-ee
FISuomi
pesulainen
pe-su-lai-nen
FRFrançais
lavandier
la-van-dee-ay
HAHA
ma'aikata
ma-ai-ka-ta
IDBahasa Indonesia
pencuci
pen-choo-chee
IGIG
onye agha
oh-nye a-gha
ITItaliano
lavandai
la-van-dah-ee
MSBahasa Melayu
pencuci
pen-choo-chee
NLNederlands
wasser
vah-ser
PLPolski
praczka
prach-ka
PTPortuguês
lavrador
la-vrah-dor
RORomână
spălător
spal-a-tor
SVSvenska
tvättare
tvät-ta-reh
SWKiswahili
mnyonyeshe
m-nyo-nye-she
TEతెలుగు
washerman
wash-er-man
THไทย
คนซักผ้า
kon-suk-pha
TLTL
manggagawa sa paglilinis ng damit
man-ga-ga-wa sa pa-li-li-nis ng da-mit
TRTürkçe
çamaşırhane
cha-ma-shir-ha-neh
UKУкраїнська
пральщик
pra-l-sh-chik
VITiếng Việt
người giặt
ngoo-ee-zhet