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March 24, 2026
家务(家務)jiāwù(jia1wu4)
家务 (jiāwù) refers to the various tasks and chores involved in maintaining a household, such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry. It is commonly used in discussions about daily responsibilities and family dynamics, often highlighting the balance of work within a home.
Frequency#8500DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 家务 is often seen as a shared responsibility among family members, but traditional gender roles may still influence who does what. It's common for discussions about housework to reflect broader societal attitudes towards gender and equality.
Memory Tip
Imagine a house (家) filled with a giant 'woo' (无) sound whenever chores are neglected. The character 家 represents home, and 务 sounds like 'woo,' reminding you that house duties are always calling out for attention!
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AI Study Notes for 家务
Quick Contrast
家务 (household chores) vs 家事 (family matters) — use 家务 when referring specifically to chores, while 家事 encompasses broader family-related issues.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a house (家) filled with a giant 'woo' (无) sound whenever chores are neglected. The character 家 represents home, and 务 sounds like 'woo,' reminding you that house duties are always calling out for attention!
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 家务 with 家庭 (jiātíng), which means family; the former focuses on tasks rather than relationships. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but in casual conversation, you might hear 家务活 (jiāwù huó) to refer to specific chores. The second tone in 务 is often pronounced incorrectly; practice distinguishing it from the first tone.
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 5 word, 家务 connects well with vocabulary related to daily life and responsibilities, such as 工作 (gōngzuò - work) and 生活 (shēnghuó - life). Students should focus on using it in sentences about family roles and household management to solidify understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 家务 is often seen as a shared responsibility among family members, but traditional gender roles may still influence who does what. It's common for discussions about housework to reflect broader societal attitudes towards gender and equality.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 家务 with 家庭 (family). For example, saying '我喜欢做家庭' (Wǒ xǐhuān zuò jiātíng) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢做家务' (Wǒ xǐhuān zuò jiāwù) to mean 'I like doing housework.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 家务
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Grammar Patterns of 家务
家务 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
做____真的会让人大汗淋漓。
You can really work up a sweat doing housework.
Example Sentences for 家务 (9)
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1
做家务真的会让人大汗淋漓。
zuò jiā wù zhēn de huì ràng rén dà hàn lín lí。
You can really work up a sweat doing housework.
2
过去是这样, 现在我租了一套包办家务的房间.
guò qù shì zhè yàng, , xiàn zài wǒ zū le yī tào bāo bàn jiā wù de fáng.
I used to, but now I have got a service flat.
3
她每天都忙家务.
tā měi tiān dū máng jiā wù.
She does the domestic affairs every day.
4
她总是为家务忙个没完.
tā zǒng shì wéi jiā wù máng gè méi wán.
She is always bustling about the house.
5
百物涨价时,她觉得料理家务很难.
bǎi wù zhǎng jià shí, , tā jué dé liào lǐ jiā wù hěn.
She found it difficult to contrive when prices of everything went up.
She expended all her efforts on the care of home and children.
9
他精于家务,烹制的砂锅炖小鸡非常可口.
tā jīng yú jiā wù, , pēng zhì de shā guō dùn xiǎo jī fēi cháng kě.
He is thoroughly domesticated and cooks a delicious chicken casserole.
Cultural Notes for 家务
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 家务 is often seen as a shared responsibility among family members, but traditional gender roles may still influence who does what. It's common for discussions about housework to reflect broader societal attitudes towards gender and equality.
Frequently Asked Questions about 家务
You can say '我有很多家务要做' (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō jiāwù yào zuò).
Yes, 家务 can be used in both contexts, but you might hear it more often in casual conversations about daily life.
家务 (jiāwù) refers to household duties in general, while 家务活 (jiāwù huó) often refers to specific tasks or chores.
