Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common and natural way to refer to housework is 家事 (かじ). This covers general household chores. There are also specific words for individual tasks, and some set phrases.
Referring to the overall concept of housework, domestic tasks, or chores around the house.
The standard, neutral word for housework. Covers cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.
Doing housework every day is tough.
家事を分担しましょう。
Let's share the housework.
Means 'housework in general' or 'all household chores'. Used when emphasizing the whole range of tasks.
家事全般を一人でこなすのは難しい。
It's hard to handle all the housework by yourself.
Literally 'house work'. A slightly more casual or explanatory way to say housework, often used in conversation.
週末は家の仕事を片付けます。
I'll take care of the housework on the weekend.
Referring to individual chores like cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc.
Cleaning. One of the most common specific housework tasks.
今日は掃除をします。
I'll do the cleaning today.
Laundry. Washing clothes.
Cooking. Preparing meals.
料理が得意です。
I'm good at cooking.
Shopping (for groceries/household items). Often considered part of housework.
Tidying up, putting things away. A key part of daily housework.
Expressing the action of doing housework or chores.
The most common way to say 'do housework'. Uses the generic verb する.
毎朝家事をしてから仕事に行きます。
I do housework every morning before going to work.
Implies handling or managing housework efficiently, often with a nuance of getting it done.
彼女は手際よく家事をこなす。
She handles housework efficiently.
To finish the housework, get it done. Often used when you want to complete chores before doing something else.
先に家事を済ませてから出かけよう。
Let's finish the housework first and then go out.
Expressing that housework is tiring, a chore, or an obligation.
The burden of housework. Used in discussions about sharing domestic responsibilities.
家事の負担を減らしたい。
I want to reduce the burden of housework.
Troublesome housework. Emphasizes the annoying aspect.
面倒な家事は後回しにしてしまう。
I tend to put off troublesome housework.
家事 is the standard, concise term. 家の仕事 is more colloquial and explanatory, often used when speaking to children or in casual settings. Both are natural, but 家事 is preferred in formal or written contexts.
家事の分担について話し合う。
Discuss the division of housework.
今日は家の仕事がたくさんある。
I have a lot of housework today.
The loanword ハウスワーク is understood but sounds unnatural and is rarely used. Stick to 家事 or specific task words.
洗濯物を干してください。
Please hang up the laundry.
買い物に行ってきます。
I'm going shopping.
子供のおもちゃを片付ける。
Tidy up the children's toys.