housework
gb/hˈaʊswˌɚk/ us/hˈaʊswˌɚk/
A2
English
házimunka
NOUN
A2
1
házimunka
A2
Usage pattern:
do [housework] / the [housework]
I spend Saturday mornings doing housework and grocery shopping.
A szombat délelőttöket házimunkával és bevásárlással töltöm.
After dinner, we split the housework: I wash up and she tidies the kitchen.
Vacsora után megosztjuk a házimunkát: én elmosogatok, ő pedig rendet rak a konyhában.
He hates housework, but he’ll vacuum if you ask him.
Learner examples
I do housework every day.
Mindennap házimunkát végzek.
We share the housework.
Megosztjuk a házimunkát.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat it as a countable noun (*a housework*); it is usually uncountable (housework).
Meaning
jobs to keep a home clean
Collocations
do housework
|do the housework
|housework chores
|housework routine
|housework and childcare
|share the housework
|help with the housework
|finish the housework
|a lot of housework
|endless housework
Synonyms
chores (More general; can include errands outside the home.)
|
household chores (Very close in meaning; often sounds slightly more explicit.)
|
domestic chores (Slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
leisure (Time free from work and responsibilities, including housework.)
|
free time (Time when you are not doing tasks like housework.)
Themes
daily_life
|home
|cleaning
|family
Definition
the jobs you do at home, like cleaning and washing
The regular tasks done in a home to keep it clean, tidy, and running smoothly, such as cleaning, washing clothes, and washing dishes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
housework
IPA
GB/hˈaʊswˌɚk/
US/hˈaʊswˌɚk/
Syllables & stress
house - work (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (house)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: housework
- Plural: housework
Word family
Core family
housekeeping
noun
housekeeper
noun B1
Expressions
catch up on the housework
1/kˈæt͡ʃ ˈʌp ˈɔn ðə hˈaʊswˌɚk/
fixed phrase
do neglected chores
to do housework you didn’t do before
Examples
- I spent the weekend catching up on the housework after a busy week.
- After the trip, we had to catch up on the housework.
Learner examples
- On Sunday, I catch up on the housework.
do the housework
1/dˈu ðə hˈaʊswˌɚk/
fixed phrase
perform household chores
to clean and do jobs at home
Examples
- I’ll do the housework if you cook dinner.
- He usually does the housework on Sundays.
Learner examples
- I do the housework on Saturday.
help with the housework
1/hˈɛlp wˈɪθ ðə hˈaʊswˌɚk/
fixed phrase
assist with household chores
to do some housework to help
Examples
- The kids help with the housework by putting away their toys.
- Could you help with the housework before our guests arrive?
Learner examples
- Please help with the housework.
keep up with the housework
1/kˈip ˈʌp wˈɪθ ðə hˈaʊswˌɚk/
fixed phrase
manage chores regularly
to do housework regularly so it doesn’t pile up
Examples
- With two jobs, it’s hard to keep up with the housework.
- If you clean a little each day, it’s easier to keep up with the housework.
Learner examples
- It is hard to keep up with the housework.
share the housework
1/ʃˈɛɹ ðə hˈaʊswˌɚk/
fixed phrase
divide chores between people
to split housework between people
Examples
- We try to share the housework equally.
- They agreed to share the housework after moving in together.
Learner examples
- We share the housework at home.