Dividing Household Chores
Family members discussing and assigning household chores and responsibilities, ensuring fair distribution and encouraging participation from all members, including children.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
chores
Household tasks like cleaning or cooking that need to be done regularly. In families, sharing chores helps everyone contribute fairly.
laundry
The clothes and linens that need washing, drying, and folding. It's a common household chore done weekly.
dishes
Plates, bowls, and utensils used for eating that must be washed after meals. Washing dishes is a daily task in many homes.
swamped
Overwhelmed or very busy with too much work. Use it to explain why you couldn't help with chores, like 'I'm swamped at the office.'
balanced
Fair and equal in distribution, like sharing chores so no one does too much. In family talks, aim for a balanced schedule.
take over
To start doing a task that someone else was doing. For example, 'I'll take over dinner prep' means assuming responsibility for it.
prep
Short for preparation, often used for cooking like 'dinner prep' meaning getting ingredients ready before cooking.
recap
To summarize or review what was said or decided. Use it at the end of a meeting, like 'To recap, here's the plan.'
teamwork
Working together as a group to achieve a goal. In families, 'teamwork makes the dream work' encourages cooperation on chores.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Okay, team! Let's talk about chores for the upcoming week.
This is a friendly way to start a family discussion. 'Okay, team!' builds a sense of unity, and 'upcoming week' means the week that is coming soon. Useful for initiating talks about plans.
You're right, honey. My apologies.
Agrees with someone and apologizes politely. 'Honey' is an affectionate term for a spouse. 'My apologies' is a formal way to say sorry. Use it to admit fault in conversations.
What do you propose we do to make it more balanced?
Asks for suggestions to improve fairness. 'Propose' means suggest, and 'make it more balanced' uses comparative form for equality. Great for problem-solving in group settings.
I can help with the dishes after dinner every night.
Offers assistance with a specific task at a set time. 'Every night' shows regularity with frequency adverb. Useful for volunteering in family or team situations.
Sounds fair to me. I can definitely manage that.
Agrees that something is just and confirms ability. 'Sounds fair' is idiomatic for agreement, 'definitely' emphasizes certainty. Use to accept responsibilities positively.
To recap: Emily, you're on dishes after dinner and Saturday vacuuming.
Summarizes assignments using 'to recap' for review. 'You're on' means responsible for. This structure lists duties clearly, helpful for confirming plans in meetings.
Teamwork makes the dream work!
An idiom meaning cooperation leads to success. It's motivational and fun to say at the end of planning. Use it to encourage group efforts in family or work.