Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== jiāwù: 家务 - Housework, Chores, Household Duties ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** jiāwù, 家务, housework in Chinese, chores in Chinese, household duties Chinese, do chores Chinese, Chinese word for housework, learn Chinese, zuò jiāwù, 做家务, domestic tasks China * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **家务 (jiāwù)**, which means "housework," "chores," or "household duties." This guide breaks down the characters 家 (home) and 务 (duties), explores its cultural significance in modern China, and provides over 10 practical example sentences, like the common phrase 做家务 (zuò jiāwù), meaning "to do housework." Ideal for HSK 3 students and anyone wanting to discuss daily life in Mandarin. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiāwù * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 * **Concise Definition:** Housework, household chores, or domestic duties. * **In a Nutshell:** **家务 (jiāwù)** is the general, all-encompassing term for the routine tasks required to maintain a home. It covers everything from cleaning and cooking to laundry and tidying up. It's a very practical and common word used in everyday conversations about family life and responsibilities. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **家 (jiā):** This character means "home" or "family." The top part (宀) is the "roof" radical, and the bottom part (豕) is an ancient pictograph for a pig. In ancient China, raising a pig indoors was a symbol of a settled, domestic household, making it a powerful character for "home." * **务 (wù):** This character means "affair," "business," or "duty." It refers to tasks or matters that require attention and effort. * Together, **家 (jiā) + 务 (wù)** literally translates to "home duties" or "family affairs," perfectly capturing the meaning of "housework." ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== Historically, **家务 (jiāwù)** was deeply tied to traditional gender roles in China, often considered the exclusive domain of the woman of the house (家庭主妇, jiātíng zhǔfù). A well-kept home was a reflection of her diligence and virtue, directly impacting the family's social standing or "face" ([[面子]], miànzi). This can be contrasted with the modern American/Western ideal of "sharing chores," which, while also evolving, arguably began from a more individualistic standpoint. In the Chinese context, performing **家务** was traditionally seen less as a personal contribution and more as fulfilling a fundamental, pre-defined role for the harmony of the collective family unit. In modern urban China, these roles are rapidly changing. With more women participating in the workforce, the concept of **分担家务 (fēndān jiāwù)**—sharing the housework—is now a common topic of discussion and a key aspect of modern relationships. However, traditional expectations can still linger, especially in more rural areas or among older generations, making the division of **家务** a frequent point of negotiation in contemporary Chinese families. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **家务 (jiāwù)** is almost exclusively used as a noun. The most important phrase to learn is **做家务 (zuò jiāwù)**, which means "to do housework." * **Daily Conversation:** People use it to talk about their daily routine, complain about chores, or organize family responsibilities. For example: "我今天有很多家务要做" (I have a lot of housework to do today). * **Dividing Chores:** The phrase **分担家务 (fēndān jiāwù)** is key when discussing how couples or families share the workload. * **Hiring Help:** It's common for families, especially in cities, to hire an **阿姨 (āyí)**, a domestic helper, to assist with **家务**. * **Connotation:** The word itself is neutral, but the context determines the feeling. It can be discussed matter-of-factly, complained about as a burden, or talked about with satisfaction when a home is clean. It is generally considered informal. A more formal or written term might be **家政 (jiāzhèng)**, which refers to "home economics" or "domestic management." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 今天我们分工合作，一起做**家务**。 * Pinyin: Jīntiān wǒmen fēngōng hézuò, yīqǐ zuò **jiāwù**. * English: Today we'll divide the work and do the housework together. * Analysis: This shows the common verb `做 (zuò)` used with `家务`. The phrase `分工合作 (fēngōng hézuò)` emphasizes cooperation in tackling chores. * **Example 2:** * 我妈妈每天都要处理很多**家务**，比如做饭和洗衣服。 * Pinyin: Wǒ māma měitiān dōu yào chǔlǐ hěn duō **jiāwù**, bǐrú zuòfàn hé xǐ yīfu. * English: My mom has to handle a lot of housework every day, such as cooking and washing clothes. * Analysis: Here, `处理 (chǔlǐ)` is used to mean "handle" or "deal with," and specific chores are listed as examples of `家务`. * **Example 3:** * 吃完饭后，谁来做**家务**？ * Pinyin: Chī wán fàn hòu, shéi lái zuò **jiāwù**? * English: After dinner, who is going to do the chores? * Analysis: A very common and practical question in a family setting. `家务` here can imply washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. * **Example 4:** * 他不爱做**家务**，房间总是很乱。 * Pinyin: Tā bù ài zuò **jiāwù**, fángjiān zǒngshì hěn luàn. * English: He doesn't like to do housework, so his room is always a mess. * Analysis: This example connects the action (or lack thereof) of doing `家务` to its direct consequence. * **Example 5:** * 在我们家，爸爸妈妈一起分担**家务**。 * Pinyin: Zài wǒmen jiā, bàba māma yīqǐ fēndān **jiāwù**. * English: In our family, Dad and Mom share the housework together. * Analysis: This highlights the modern concept of sharing chores using the specific verb `分担 (fēndān)`. * **Example 6:** * 我觉得做**家务**可以是一种放松的方式。 * Pinyin: Wǒ juéde zuò **jiāwù** kěyǐ shì yī zhǒng fàngsōng de fāngshì. * English: I think doing chores can be a way to relax. * Analysis: This sentence shows a positive perspective on `家务`, which is less common but perfectly valid. * **Example 7:** * 这个周末我什么都不想干，只想把**家务**做完。 * Pinyin: Zhège zhōumò wǒ shénme dōu bùxiǎng gàn, zhǐ xiǎng bǎ **jiāwù** zuò wán. * English: This weekend I don't want to do anything except finish the housework. * Analysis: This uses the `把 (bǎ)` structure to emphasize the completion of the `家务`. * **Example 8:** * 繁重的**家务**让她感到很疲惫。 * Pinyin: Fánzhòng de **jiāwù** ràng tā gǎndào hěn píbèi. * English: The heavy housework made her feel very exhausted. * Analysis: `繁重 (fánzhòng)` is a common adjective used to describe `家务` when it is particularly demanding or burdensome. * **Example 9:** * 他们因为谁该做**家务**而吵架了。 * Pinyin: Tāmen yīnwèi shéi gāi zuò **jiāwù** ér chǎojià le. * English: They argued over who should do the housework. * Analysis: A realistic example showing how `家务` can be a source of conflict. * **Example 10:** * 智能家居产品可以帮助我们减轻**家务**负担。 * Pinyin: Zhìnéng jiājū chǎnpǐn kěyǐ bāngzhù wǒmen jiǎnqīng **jiāwù** fùdān. * English: Smart home products can help us lighten the burden of housework. * Analysis: This connects `家务` to a modern topic. `负担 (fùdān)` means "burden," a word often paired with `家务`. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake 1: Confusing `家务 (jiāwù)` with `工作 (gōngzuò)`** * `家务` is specifically unpaid work done to maintain one's own home. `工作 (gōngzuò)` is one's job, profession, or paid work. * **Incorrect:** 我今天在家有很多**工作**要做，比如洗衣服和打扫。 (This implies you are a paid domestic worker in your own home). * **Correct:** 我今天在家有很多**家务**要做，比如洗衣服和打扫。 (I have a lot of housework to do at home today, like washing clothes and cleaning.) * **Mistake 2: Using `家务` as a verb.** * `家务` is a noun. You cannot "housework" a room. You must use a verb, most commonly `做 (zuò)`, meaning "to do." * **Incorrect:** 我需要**家务**我的房间。 (I need to housework my room.) * **Correct:** 我需要**做家务**，打扫一下我的房间。 (I need to do housework and clean my room a bit.) ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[做家务]] (zuò jiāwù) - The essential verb-object phrase meaning "to do housework." * [[家务活]] (jiāwùhuó) - A more colloquial, especially Northern, equivalent of `家务`. The character `活 (huó)` means "work" or "labor." * [[打扫]] (dǎsǎo) - A specific chore: to clean, sweep, or tidy up. * [[收拾]] (shōushi) - A specific chore: to tidy up, put in order, or pack. * [[洗衣服]] (xǐ yīfu) - A specific chore: to wash clothes. * [[做饭]] (zuò fàn) - A specific chore: to cook a meal. * [[分担]] (fēndān) - A verb meaning "to share (a burden/responsibility)," often used with `家务`. * [[家庭主妇]] (jiātíng zhǔfù) - "Housewife," a person whose primary role is managing `家务`. * [[阿姨]] (āyí) - "Auntie," but also the common term for a nanny or domestic helper hired to do `家务`. * [[懒]] (lǎn) - An adjective meaning "lazy," often used to describe someone who avoids doing `家务`.