做家务 (zuò jiā wù)

verb phrase HSK 3

Traditional 做家務

zuò jiā wù

to do housework · to do household chores

Meaning

This common verb phrase means to perform household tasks and chores. It combines 做 (to do) with 家务 (household affairs/chores), referring to everyday domestic work like cleaning, cooking, laundry, and maintaining the home.

Usage

This is a neutral, standard term used in everyday conversation. Parents often use it when talking about assigning chores to children, or when discussing the division of household labor. It's commonly used in the pattern '帮忙做家务' (to help with housework) or '做家务活儿' where 活儿 adds emphasis on the work aspect.

Examples

01
周末我通常在家做家务。
Zhōumò wǒ tōngcháng zài jiā zuò jiā wù.
On weekends I usually do housework at home.
02
孩子们应该帮父母做家务。
Háizi men yīnggāi bāng fùmǔ zuò jiā wù.
Children should help their parents with housework.

Characters

Common collocations

帮忙做家务
bāng máng zuò jiā wù
to help with housework
做家务活儿
zuò jiā wù huó er
to do household chores
分担家务
fēn dān jiā wù
to share housework
不爱做家务
bù ài zuò jiā wù
to dislike doing housework

Origin

家务 literally means 'family affairs' or 'household matters.' The term 务 (affairs) gives it a somewhat formal tone, though the overall phrase is used colloquially.