This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 10 min read

die Hausarbeit

Examples Notes & Tips die Hausarbeit in 30 Seconds
Explanation die Hausarbeit in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should know that 'die Hausarbeit' means housework. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Ich mache die Hausarbeit' (I do the housework). At this stage, you are just learning the names of basic activities around the house. You probably won't use this word often; instead, you might use simpler verbs like 'putzen' (to clean) or 'kochen' (to cook). The main thing to remember is that it is a 'die' word (feminine) and it describes things like cleaning your room or washing dishes. You should also be careful not to confuse it with 'Hausaufgabe' (homework from school), which is a different word entirely. Focus on the fact that 'Haus' means house and 'Arbeit' means work, so it is literally 'house-work'.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you can use 'die Hausarbeit' to talk about your daily or weekly routine. You should be able to say who does the chores in your family or apartment. For example, 'Mein Bruder und ich teilen uns die Hausarbeit' (My brother and I share the housework). You will also start using prepositions with this word, such as 'bei' (with/at). Remember that 'bei' takes the dative case, so it becomes 'bei der Hausarbeit'. You might use this word when talking about your hobbies or how you spend your time at the weekend. It is an important word for describing your living situation and your responsibilities at home. You should also begin to recognize that it is a collective noun for all the small tasks like vacuuming and dusting.
At the B1 level, you can discuss more complex ideas related to 'die Hausarbeit'. You can talk about the advantages and disadvantages of different ways to organize chores. You might describe how housework has changed over time with the invention of machines like the dishwasher or washing machine. You should be comfortable using the word in various cases and with a range of verbs like 'erledigen' (to complete) or 'vernachlässigen' (to neglect). This is also the level where you might encounter the second meaning of the word: a university term paper. You should be able to distinguish between 'cleaning the house' and 'writing an essay' based on the context of the conversation. You can also express opinions on whether housework should be paid or how to make it more efficient.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, you can use 'die Hausarbeit' in more formal and abstract discussions. You might read articles about the 'gender gap' in housework or the psychological effects of a messy home. You should be able to use the word in the passive voice, such as 'Die Hausarbeit muss gerecht verteilt werden' (Housework must be distributed fairly). Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'Haushaltsführung' (household management) or 'Care-Arbeit' (care work). You can participate in debates about social expectations and how they relate to domestic labor. In an academic context, you should be able to describe the process of writing a 'Hausarbeit', including research, drafting, and citations, using the plural 'Hausarbeiten' correctly to refer to multiple papers.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'die Hausarbeit'. You can use it in sophisticated arguments about economics, sociology, or history. For instance, you might discuss the 'Invisibilisierung' (invisibilization) of domestic labor in traditional economic models. You can use the word in idiomatic ways and understand subtle connotations. You are also expected to use the word perfectly in its academic sense, knowing the difference between a 'Hausarbeit', a 'Bachelorarbeit', and a 'Dissertation'. You can write detailed instructions or policies regarding housework in shared living or professional environments. Your use of adjectives will be more precise, using terms like 'prekär' (precarious) or 'systemrelevant' (systemically relevant) in relation to domestic tasks.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you master 'die Hausarbeit' in all its linguistic and cultural complexity. You can analyze literary texts where housework is used as a metaphor or a central theme. You understand the historical evolution of the term from the early modern period to the digital age. You can speak eloquently about the intersectionality of housework, race, and class. In the academic sphere, you can mentor others on how to structure a 'Hausarbeit' and provide high-level feedback on their arguments and style. Your language is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, and you can use the word in puns, irony, or complex rhetorical structures. You are aware of the most obscure synonyms and the finest distinctions between similar terms in various German dialects or specialized fields.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples Notes & Tips

die Hausarbeit in 30 Seconds

  • Die Hausarbeit means housework or chores in a domestic context, covering cleaning, cooking, and laundry.
  • In a university setting, it specifically refers to a term paper or a written academic assignment.
  • It is a feminine noun (die) and is usually used in the singular for chores and plural for papers.
  • Commonly paired with the verb 'machen' (to do) or 'erledigen' (to complete/finish).

The German noun die Hausarbeit is a composite word formed from das Haus (the house) and die Arbeit (the work). In its most common everyday context, it refers to the collective tasks required to maintain a household. This includes cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry, vacuuming, and general tidying. For an English speaker, the most direct translations are housework or chores. However, it is important to note that in a university context, die Hausarbeit also refers to a term paper or a written academic assignment. This dual meaning is a frequent source of confusion for learners. When you are at home and someone mentions Hausarbeit, they are almost certainly talking about cleaning the kitchen or mopping the floors. If you are at a university and a professor mentions it, they are talking about your fifteen-page essay on sociology.

Domestic Maintenance
This encompasses the daily and weekly routines of keeping a living space functional and clean. It is a singular noun used as a collective term.

Ich hasse die Hausarbeit, besonders das Staubsaugen.

In German culture, there is a strong emphasis on Ordnung (order). Therefore, Hausarbeit is often viewed not just as a chore, but as a necessary part of a disciplined life. You will hear parents using this word when assigning tasks to children, or roommates discussing how to split the labor in a shared apartment, known as a Wohngemeinschaft or WG. The word is functionally versatile; it covers everything from the heavy lifting of moving furniture to the delicate task of dusting ornaments. It is a feminine noun, so it always takes the article die in the nominative case and der in the dative case. Understanding this word is essential for navigating domestic life in German-speaking countries.

Academic Context
In higher education, this refers specifically to the research paper written during the semester break.

Ich muss meine Hausarbeit bis Freitag abgeben.

The emotional connotation of Hausarbeit can vary. While some find it therapeutic, most Germans associate it with the necessary but unexciting tasks of adulthood. In political and sociological discussions, unbezahlte Hausarbeit (unpaid housework) is a major topic regarding gender equality and the division of labor within the family. It is a word that appears in legal documents, lease agreements, and daily conversation alike. Because it is so broad, speakers often specify which part of the housework they are doing by using more specific verbs like putzen (cleaning), waschen (washing), or kochen (cooking), but Hausarbeit remains the umbrella term for the entire category of work.

Using die Hausarbeit correctly requires pairing it with the right verbs. The most common verb used is machen (to do). You will frequently hear the phrase die Hausarbeit machen. Another common verb is erledigen, which means to complete or take care of. This sounds slightly more formal or implies a sense of checking things off a list. For example, Ich muss noch die Hausarbeit erledigen suggests that the speaker has a list of chores they need to finish before they can relax. When discussing the distribution of chores, the verb teilen (to share/divide) is used: Wir teilen uns die Hausarbeit (We share the housework).

Verb Pairings
Common combinations include: Hausarbeit machen, Hausarbeit erledigen, Hausarbeit aufteilen, and Hausarbeit vernachlässigen (to neglect).

Wer ist heute mit der Hausarbeit an der Reihe?

In terms of grammar, remember that Hausarbeit is usually used in the singular when referring to the general concept of housework. Even if you have many different chores to do, you still say die Hausarbeit. The plural die Hausarbeiten is almost exclusively used in the academic sense, referring to multiple term papers. If you want to talk about specific chores in the plural without using the academic term, you might use die Aufgaben im Haushalt (tasks in the household) or die Erledigungen. When constructing sentences, pay attention to the case. In the sentence Hilfst du mir bei der Hausarbeit?, the preposition bei triggers the dative case, changing die to der.

Another interesting aspect is the use of adjectives. You can have lästige Hausarbeit (annoying housework), tägliche Hausarbeit (daily housework), or gemeinsame Hausarbeit (shared housework). If you are describing someone who is very good at managing the home, you might say they are efficient in der Hausarbeit. In a professional context, such as a job advertisement for a domestic helper, you will see Hilfe bei der Hausarbeit gesucht (Help with housework wanted). It is a versatile term that fits into many sentence structures, from simple subject-verb-object patterns to complex passive constructions like Die Hausarbeit muss heute noch gemacht werden (The housework must still be done today).

You will encounter die Hausarbeit in a variety of real-life settings. The most common is within the family or a shared living situation. On a Saturday morning, a parent might say, Zuerst machen wir die Hausarbeit, dann gehen wir in den Park. It is the standard term used in 'cleaning plans' or Putzpläne that you find pinned to refrigerators in shared student apartments. In these contexts, the word represents the shared responsibility of the inhabitants. You will also hear it on television, particularly in commercials for cleaning products, where the narrator might ask if you are tired of mühsame Hausarbeit (laborious housework).

Daily Life
Hear it in discussions about schedules, cleaning routines, and family duties.

In unserer WG gibt es einen festen Plan für die Hausarbeit.

In the news or on talk shows, the word often appears in a more socio-political context. Sociologists discuss the Aufteilung der Hausarbeit (division of housework) between men and women, often citing statistics about who spends more hours on these tasks. In this sense, the word becomes a technical term for domestic labor. Furthermore, if you are listening to a podcast about productivity or minimalism, the speaker might discuss how to minimize Hausarbeit through better organization or by owning fewer things. It is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane reality of scrubbing a floor and the abstract discussion of economic labor.

Finally, the academic usage of the word is ubiquitous in university hallways. You will hear students complaining, Ich habe noch drei Hausarbeiten zu schreiben. This can be confusing if you only know the 'housework' definition, as it sounds like they have to clean three houses! Context is key. If the speaker looks stressed and is carrying a stack of books in a library, they are referring to their academic papers. If they are wearing an apron and holding a mop, they are referring to chores. This duality is a classic feature of the German language where one word serves two distinct spheres of life.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing die Hausarbeit with die Hausaufgabe. In English, 'homework' and 'housework' sound very similar, but in German, they are strictly separated. Hausaufgabe refers to the exercises a schoolchild does after school (math problems, vocabulary practice). Hausarbeit refers to the chores done to keep the house clean. If a student says they have a lot of Hausarbeit, a German might think they are busy cleaning their room, when they actually meant they have school assignments. Always remember: Aufgabe = task/assignment, Arbeit = work/labor.

Hausarbeit vs. Hausaufgabe
Hausarbeit: Chores or University Term Paper. Hausaufgabe: School homework for children/teens.

Falsch: Ich mache meine Hausarbeit für den Mathekurs. (Unless you are cleaning the math classroom!)

Another mistake is the pluralization. As mentioned before, if you are talking about cleaning, you should almost always use the singular Hausarbeit. Saying Ich habe viele Hausarbeiten to mean 'I have many chores' sounds like you are a university student with many essays to write. To specify multiple chores, use viele Aufgaben im Haushalt. Additionally, learners sometimes forget that Hausarbeit is a feminine noun. They might say das Hausarbeit because Haus is neuter. However, in German compounds, the gender is determined by the last word—in this case, die Arbeit.

Finally, be careful with the verb arbeiten. While Hausarbeit is the noun, you don't usually say Ich hausarbeite. There is no such verb. You must use the construction Hausarbeit machen or im Haushalt arbeiten. Using the noun as a verb is a common error for those trying to apply English logic (like 'to house-work') to German. Stick to the noun-verb combinations that native speakers use to sound more natural. Also, ensure you don't confuse it with Heimarbeit, which refers to working from home (telecommuting) or industrial work done at home for a factory.

There are several words that overlap with die Hausarbeit, and knowing the nuances can help you choose the right one. Der Haushalt is perhaps the most common alternative. While Hausarbeit refers to the work itself, der Haushalt refers to the entire household or the management of it. Phrases like den Haushalt führen (to run the household) or den Haushalt machen (to do the household chores) are extremely common and often interchangeable with Hausarbeit. However, Haushalt can also mean 'budget' in a political context, such as der Staatshaushalt.

Hausarbeit vs. Haushalt
Hausarbeit is the specific labor; Haushalt is the broader concept of the household and its management.

Ich kümmere mich um den Haushalt.

Another related term is der Hausputz. This is more specific and refers to a thorough cleaning of the house, often done seasonally (like 'spring cleaning'). If you say Ich mache heute Hausputz, it implies a much more intensive cleaning session than just doing the daily Hausarbeit. Then there are the specific tasks: Abwaschen (doing the dishes), Staubsaugen (vacuuming), Wäsche waschen (doing laundry). In casual conversation, people often name the specific task rather than using the broad term Hausarbeit unless they are talking about the overall burden of chores.

In the academic world, synonyms for Hausarbeit include die Seminararbeit (a paper for a specific seminar) or die Abschlussarbeit (a final thesis). If you are a student, it is often better to use these more specific terms to avoid any ambiguity. For example, Ich schreibe gerade an meiner Seminararbeit is much clearer than just saying Hausarbeit. In summary, while die Hausarbeit is a great all-purpose word, being aware of Haushalt, Hausputz, and Seminararbeit will make your German sound more precise and advanced.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In Middle High German, 'arbeit' often implied great physical hardship or even distress, which many people still feel today when facing a pile of dirty dishes!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈhaʊs.aʁbaɪt/
US /ˈhaʊsˌɑɹbaɪt/
Primary stress is on the first syllable: HAUS-arbeit.
Rhymes With
Bauarbeit Facharbeit Handarbeit Heimarbeit Lohnarbeit Mehrarbeit Nacharbeit Vorarbeit
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'Haus' as 'Hause' (adding an extra 'e').
  • Confusing the 'ei' in 'Arbeit' with an 'ie' sound (it should sound like 'eye').
  • Stressing the second word 'Arbeit' instead of the first.
  • Muting the final 't' too much.
  • Mispronouncing the 'r' as a hard English 'r' instead of a German uvular or vocalic 'r'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, but watch for the two meanings.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct gender and understanding of compound structures.

Speaking 2/5

Common word, easy to pronounce once you know 'Haus' and 'Arbeit'.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'Hausaufgabe' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Haus Arbeit machen putzen helfen

Learn Next

der Haushalt die Hausaufgabe das Seminar die Forschung

Advanced

Reproduktionsarbeit Care-Arbeit Hauswirtschaftslehre
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Ich mache heute die Hausarbeit.

I am doing the housework today.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

2

Meine Mutter macht die Hausarbeit.

My mother does the housework.

Third person singular verb 'macht'.

3

Ist Hausarbeit schwer?

Is housework difficult?

Question structure.

4

Wir machen die Hausarbeit zusammen.

We do the housework together.

Use of the adverb 'zusammen'.

5

Hausarbeit ist langweilig.

Housework is boring.

Adjective 'langweilig' as a predicate.

6

Ich helfe bei der Hausarbeit.

I help with the housework.

Preposition 'bei' + dative 'der'.

7

Wann machst du die Hausarbeit?

When do you do the housework?

Question word 'wann'.

8

Das ist viel Hausarbeit.

That is a lot of housework.

Use of 'viel' as a quantifier.

1

Am Samstag erledigen wir die Hausarbeit.

On Saturday we take care of the housework.

Verb 'erledigen' implies completion.

2

Wer macht bei euch die Hausarbeit?

Who does the housework at your place?

Pronoun 'euch' in dative.

3

Ich habe keine Lust auf Hausarbeit.

I don't feel like doing housework.

Idiom 'Lust haben auf' + accusative.

4

Nach der Hausarbeit trinke ich einen Kaffee.

After the housework, I drink a coffee.

Preposition 'nach' + dative.

5

Meine Kinder helfen mir bei der Hausarbeit.

My children help me with the housework.

Dative object 'mir'.

6

Wie oft machst du die Hausarbeit?

How often do you do the housework?

Question phrase 'wie oft'.

7

Hausarbeit gehört zum Alltag.

Housework is part of everyday life.

Verb 'gehören zu' + dative.

8

Ich brauche Hilfe bei der Hausarbeit.

I need help with the housework.

Noun 'Hilfe' followed by 'bei'.

1

In modernen Familien wird die Hausarbeit oft geteilt.

In modern families, housework is often shared.

Passive voice 'wird geteilt'.

2

Durch neue Geräte ist die Hausarbeit viel einfacher geworden.

Through new appliances, housework has become much easier.

Perfect tense with 'geworden'.

3

Manche Menschen finden Hausarbeit entspannend.

Some people find housework relaxing.

Adjective 'entspannend'.

4

Ich muss diese Hausarbeit bis Montag abgeben.

I have to submit this term paper by Monday.

Academic context of 'Hausarbeit'.

5

Die Aufteilung der Hausarbeit ist ein wichtiges Thema.

The division of housework is an important topic.

Genitive case 'der Hausarbeit'.

6

Früher war die Hausarbeit viel anstrengender.

In the past, housework was much more strenuous.

Comparative 'anstrengender'.

7

Obwohl ich müde bin, mache ich die Hausarbeit.

Although I am tired, I am doing the housework.

Subordinating conjunction 'obwohl'.

8

Es ist wichtig, die Hausarbeit regelmäßig zu machen.

It is important to do the housework regularly.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

1

Studien zeigen, dass Frauen immer noch mehr Hausarbeit leisten.

Studies show that women still perform more housework.

Verb 'leisten' used with work.

2

Die Hausarbeit umfasst viele verschiedene Tätigkeiten.

Housework encompasses many different activities.

Verb 'umfassen' (to encompass).

3

Er vernachlässigt seine Hausarbeit, seit er den neuen Job hat.

He has been neglecting his housework since he got the new job.

Verb 'vernachlässigen'.

4

Ich schreibe gerade eine Hausarbeit über deutsche Geschichte.

I am currently writing a term paper about German history.

Academic context with preposition 'über'.

5

Die Automatisierung der Hausarbeit spart viel Zeit.

The automation of housework saves a lot of time.

Noun 'Automatisierung'.

6

Trotz der vielen Hausarbeit bleibt Zeit für Hobbys.

Despite the much housework, there is time left for hobbies.

Preposition 'trotz' + genitive.

7

Eine gerechte Verteilung der Hausarbeit fördert den Familienfrieden.

A fair distribution of housework promotes family peace.

Compound noun 'Familienfrieden'.

8

Bevor wir ausgehen, muss die Hausarbeit erledigt sein.

Before we go out, the housework must be done.

Condition with 'bevor' and 'sein' passive.

1

Die gesellschaftliche Anerkennung von Hausarbeit ist oft unzureichend.

The social recognition of housework is often insufficient.

Abstract noun 'Anerkennung'.

2

In meiner Hausarbeit analysiere ich die Auswirkungen der Inflation.

In my term paper, I analyze the effects of inflation.

Academic usage with verb 'analysieren'.

3

Hausarbeit wird oft als 'unsichtbare Arbeit' bezeichnet.

Housework is often referred to as 'invisible work'.

Passive voice with 'bezeichnet'.

4

Die Professionalisierung der Hausarbeit führt zu neuen Dienstleistungssektoren.

The professionalization of housework leads to new service sectors.

Complex noun 'Professionalisierung'.

5

Es mangelt oft an einer fairen Entlohnung für häusliche Arbeit.

There is often a lack of fair compensation for domestic work.

Phrase 'es mangelt an' + dative.

6

Die Hausarbeit beansprucht einen beträchtlichen Teil der Freizeit.

Housework claims a considerable portion of free time.

Verb 'beanspruchen'.

7

Kritiker fordern eine stärkere Einbeziehung von Männern in die Hausarbeit.

Critics demand a greater involvement of men in housework.

Noun 'Einbeziehung'.

8

Die Digitalisierung revolutioniert auch die tägliche Hausarbeit.

Digitalization is also revolutionizing daily housework.

Verb 'revolutionieren'.

1

Die Hausarbeit fungiert hier als Metapher für die innere Reinigung.

Housework functions here as a metaphor for inner purification.

Verb 'fungieren als'.

2

In seiner Dissertation setzt er sich kritisch mit dem Begriff der Hausarbeit auseinander.

In his dissertation, he critically engages with the concept of housework.

Phrasal verb 'auseinandersetzen mit'.

3

Die Marginalisierung der Hausarbeit hat tiefe historische Wurzeln.

The marginalization of housework has deep historical roots.

Abstract noun 'Marginalisierung'.

4

Man kann die Hausarbeit nicht losgelöst von ökonomischen Strukturen betrachten.

One cannot view housework in isolation from economic structures.

Participle 'losgelöst'.

5

Die Hausarbeit ist ein Paradebeispiel für die Reproduktionsarbeit.

Housework is a prime example of reproductive labor.

Technical term 'Reproduktionsarbeit'.

6

Sie reichte ihre Hausarbeit erst nach mehrmaliger Fristverlängerung ein.

She only submitted her term paper after several deadline extensions.

Compound 'Fristverlängerung'.

7

Die Dialektik von Hausarbeit und Erwerbsarbeit prägt den modernen Diskurs.

The dialectic of housework and gainful employment shapes modern discourse.

Sophisticated term 'Dialektik'.

8

Inwiefern lässt sich Hausarbeit als emanzipatorischer Akt begreifen?

To what extent can housework be understood as an emancipatory act?

Reflexive construction 'lässt sich... begreifen'.

Common Collocations

Hausarbeit machen
Hausarbeit erledigen
Hausarbeit teilen
lästige Hausarbeit
tägliche Hausarbeit
Hausarbeit abgeben
Hausarbeit schreiben
Hilfe bei der Hausarbeit
unbezahlte Hausarbeit
gemeinsame Hausarbeit

Common Phrases

mit der Hausarbeit fertig sein

— To have finished all the chores.

Endlich bin ich mit der Hausarbeit fertig.

jemandem bei der Hausarbeit helfen

— To assist someone with cleaning or chores.

Kannst du mir bei der Hausarbeit helfen?

die Hausarbeit vernachlässigen

— To stop doing chores or let the house get messy.

Er vernachlässigt seine Hausarbeit völlig.

eine Hausarbeit einreichen

— To submit an academic paper.

Sie hat ihre Hausarbeit pünktlich eingereicht.

die Aufteilung der Hausarbeit

— The way chores are distributed among people.

Wir müssen über die Aufteilung der Hausarbeit sprechen.

Hausarbeit ist Frauensache

— A stereotypical and outdated phrase meaning housework is a woman's job.

Der Satz 'Hausarbeit ist Frauensache' ist veraltet.

sich vor der Hausarbeit drücken

— To avoid or shirk housework.

Er drückt sich immer vor der Hausarbeit.

Hausarbeit leisten

— To perform or carry out housework.

Wie viele Stunden Hausarbeit leisten Sie pro Woche?

in Hausarbeit versinken

— To be overwhelmed by the amount of chores.

Ich versinke gerade in Hausarbeit.

Hausarbeit als Belastung

— Viewing housework as a burden.

Viele empfinden Hausarbeit als Belastung.

Idioms & Expressions

"jemandem die Hausarbeit abnehmen"

— To do the chores for someone else to help them.

Ich nehme dir heute die Hausarbeit ab, damit du dich ausruhen kannst.

neutral
"saubere Arbeit leisten"

— While not using 'Hausarbeit', this is often used when housework is done very well.

Du hast beim Putzen saubere Arbeit geleistet.

informal
"den Laden schmeißen"

— To run the whole household single-handedly.

Sie schmeißt den ganzen Laden allein.

informal
"auf Vordermann bringen"

— To tidy up or clean something thoroughly.

Ich muss die Küche mal wieder auf Vordermann bringen.

informal
"klar Schiff machen"

— To clean up or put things in order (nautical origin).

Bevor die Gäste kommen, müssen wir klar Schiff machen.

informal
"die Hände in den Schoß legen"

— The opposite of doing housework; to be idle.

Du kannst jetzt nicht die Hände in den Schoß legen, es gibt viel zu tun.

neutral
"Dreck am Stecken haben"

— Unrelated to cleaning, but uses the word 'dirt'. It means to have a dark secret.

Er hat viel Dreck am Stecken.

informal
"alles unter einen Hut bringen"

— To balance housework, job, and family.

Es ist schwer, Hausarbeit und Beruf unter einen Hut zu bringen.

neutral
"die Ärmel hochkrempeln"

— To get ready for hard work, like a big cleaning session.

Jetzt krempeln wir die Ärmel hoch und machen die Hausarbeit.

informal
"frischen Wind reinbringen"

— To clean or reorganize to make a place feel new.

Wir müssen mal wieder frischen Wind in die Hausarbeit bringen.

neutral

Word Family

Nouns

der Haushalt
die Hausfrau
der Hausmann
die Hauswirtschaft

Verbs

haushalten

Adjectives

häuslich
hauswirtschaftlich

Related

das Haus
die Arbeit
der Putzplan
die Reinigung
die Aufgabe
Sign up free to see all examples

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'House' where you have to 'Arbeit' (work). House + Arbeit = Hausarbeit. It's the work you do for your house.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a mop in one hand and a university essay in the other. Both are 'Hausarbeit'.

Word Web

Putzen Kochen Waschen Staubsaugen Universität Papier Schreiben Haushalt

Challenge

Try to list five specific tasks that belong to 'Hausarbeit' in German (e.g., kochen, spülen, bügeln, wischen, fegen).

Word Origin

A compound of the Old High German 'hūs' (house) and 'arabeit' (labor, toil). The word has existed in various forms for centuries to describe labor performed in the home.

Original meaning: Labor or hardship experienced within a dwelling.

Germanic.

Cultural Context

Be mindful of gender stereotypes when discussing housework; in modern Germany, the goal is an equal split between partners.

In English, we distinguish between 'housework' (cleaning) and 'homework' (school). German distinguishes between 'Hausarbeit' and 'Hausaufgabe'.

The 'Kehrwoche' in Southern Germany. Sociological studies on 'Care-Arbeit'. University 'Prüfungsordnungen' (exam regulations).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home with family

  • Wer macht heute die Hausarbeit?
  • Ich helfe dir bei der Hausarbeit.
  • Wir müssen die Hausarbeit teilen.
  • Hast du die Hausarbeit schon gemacht?

In a shared apartment (WG)

  • Der Putzplan regelt die Hausarbeit.
  • Du bist mit der Hausarbeit dran.
  • Wir vernachlässigen die Hausarbeit.
  • Lass uns über die Hausarbeit reden.

At University

  • Ich schreibe eine Hausarbeit.
  • Wann ist die Abgabe der Hausarbeit?
  • Mein Thema für die Hausarbeit ist...
  • Ich habe die Hausarbeit bestanden.

In a job interview for a cleaner

  • Haben Sie Erfahrung mit Hausarbeit?
  • Was gehört für Sie zur Hausarbeit?
  • Ich suche eine Stelle für Hausarbeit.
  • Wie viel verlangen Sie für die Hausarbeit?

Sociological discussion

  • Die unbezahlte Hausarbeit von Frauen.
  • Die Verteilung der Hausarbeit in der Gesellschaft.
  • Hausarbeit ist auch Arbeit.
  • Wertschätzung von Hausarbeit.

Conversation Starters

"Wie teilt ihr euch zu Hause die Hausarbeit auf?"

"Welche Hausarbeit hasst du am meisten und warum?"

"Findest du, dass Kinder für Hausarbeit bezahlt werden sollten?"

"Hast du schon mal eine akademische Hausarbeit auf Deutsch geschrieben?"

"Wie viel Zeit verbringst du pro Woche mit der Hausarbeit?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe deinen typischen Samstag und welche Hausarbeit du erledigst.

Denkst du, dass Roboter in der Zukunft die gesamte Hausarbeit übernehmen werden?

Sign up free for tips & notes

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!