A weekly cleaning schedule | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: At home, two adults divide cleaning chores and put a weekly schedule where they can remember it..

EN → FR / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use A weekly cleaning schedule to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Il nous faut un meilleur planning de ménage pour l'appartement.

eel noo FOH uhn may-YUHR plah-NEENG duh meh-NAHZH poor lah-par-tuh-MAHN We need a better cleaning schedule for the apartment.
B

Nous ne partageons pas les tâches de façon équitable.

noo nuh par-tah-ZHON pah lay TAHSH duh fah-SOHN ay-kee-TAHBL We have not been dividing the chores evenly.
A

Je peux dépoussiérer les étagères samedi matin.

zhuh puh day-poo-see-AY lay-zay-tah-ZHER sahm-DEE mah-TAHN I can dust the shelves on Saturday morning.
B

Alors, je passerai la serpillière dans la cuisine après le déjeuner.

ah-LOR, zhuh pah-suh-RAY lah sair-pee-YEHR dahn lah kwee-ZEEN ah-PREH luh day-zhuh-NAY Then I'll mop the kitchen after lunch.
A

Est-ce qu'on devrait nettoyer la salle de bains tous les dimanches ?

ess-kuh OHN duh-VRAY neh-twah-YAY lah sahl duh BAN too lay dee-MAHNSH Should we clean the bathroom every Sunday?
B

Le dimanche, c'est logique, parce que la salle de bains se salit vite.

luh dee-MAHNSH, say loh-ZHEEK, parss-kuh lah sahl duh BAN suh sah-LEE VEET Sunday makes sense because it gets dirty quickly.
A

Je mettrai le planning sur le réfrigérateur.

zhuh meh-TRAY luh plah-NEENG soor luh ray-free-zhay-rah-TEUR I'll put the schedule on the fridge.
B

Ça devrait nous aider à nous souvenir de chaque tâche.

sah duh-VRAY noo ZAY-DAY ah noo soo-vuh-NEER duh SHAHK TAHSH That should help us remember each task.

Word by Word

Il In the exact construction 'Il nous faut', 'Il' is an impersonal subject: it does not refer to a person. Together with 'nous' and 'faut', the construction means that something is needed for us. A reusable pattern is 'Il faut + thing' for saying that something is necessary.
nous In 'Il nous faut', 'nous' means 'for us' or 'to us', identifying who needs the planning. It is the person affected by the need rather than the subject of 'faut'. The same pronoun can follow 'Il faut' when stating what someone needs.
faut In 'Il nous faut', 'faut' expresses that something is needed. It is the form of 'falloir' used in this impersonal construction, whose reusable pattern is 'Il faut + noun'. Here, 'Il nous faut un meilleur planning' says that we need a better schedule.
un 'Un' introduces 'un meilleur planning' as one non-specific planning or schedule. It comes before the noun and its adjective in this phrase. Reuse it before a singular noun when introducing one item, as in the exact phrase 'un meilleur planning'.
meilleur 'Meilleur' means 'better' in 'un meilleur planning', comparing this schedule favorably with the current one. It describes 'planning' and appears directly before it here. A reusable pattern is 'un meilleur + noun' when asking for or describing an improved item.
planning 'Planning' means a schedule or plan for organizing activities; here it is a cleaning schedule. In 'planning de ménage', 'de ménage' specifies what the schedule concerns. Use 'planning de + activity' to identify the activity organized by a schedule.
de In 'planning de ménage', 'de' links the schedule to the cleaning activity it concerns. The whole phrase means a cleaning schedule, so the relationship comes from the construction, not from 'de' alone. A reusable pattern is 'nom de + activity' for naming a type or purpose.
ménage 'Ménage' refers to household cleaning or housework in 'planning de ménage'. It identifies the activity organized by the planning. A useful reuse pattern is 'faire le ménage' when talking about doing household cleaning.
pour In 'pour l'appartement', 'pour' means 'for' and marks the apartment as the place or household the schedule is intended for. It links the planning to its intended area. Reuse 'pour + noun' to identify who or what something is intended for.
l'appartement 'L'appartement' means 'the apartment'; 'l'' is the shortened form of the definite article before the vowel sound in 'appartement'. In this dialogue it identifies the apartment being cleaned. A reusable pattern is 'dans l'appartement' or 'pour l'appartement' when referring to that home.
ne 'Ne' is the first part of the negative frame 'ne ... pas' in 'Nous ne partageons pas'. It cannot express the complete negation here without 'pas'. Reuse 'ne + verb + pas' to say that an action does not happen.
partageons 'Partageons' means 'share' or, in this context, 'divide' in 'Nous ne partageons pas les tâches'. It is the verb form used with 'Nous' to describe how the chores are allocated. A reusable pattern is 'partager + object' when dividing or sharing something.
pas 'Pas' completes the negative frame 'ne ... pas' in 'Nous ne partageons pas les tâches'. Together, the two parts say that the speakers do not divide the chores. Put 'pas' after the conjugated verb in this negative pattern.
les 'Les' is the definite plural article in 'les tâches', meaning 'the' chores or tasks. It introduces a plural group that is understood in the household context. Reuse 'les + plural noun' when referring to specific plural things.
tâches 'Tâches' means 'tasks' or, here, household chores in 'les tâches'. The plural form refers to the group of chores being divided. A useful pattern is 'partager les tâches' when talking about dividing chores.
façon 'Façon' means 'way' or 'manner' in the phrase 'de façon équitable'. The whole phrase describes how the tasks are shared, namely fairly; that meaning belongs to the full expression. Reuse 'de façon + description' to explain how an action is carried out.
équitable 'Équitable' means fair or equitable in 'de façon équitable'. It describes the manner of sharing the tasks rather than naming a separate task. A reusable pattern is 'de façon équitable' when describing a fair distribution or arrangement.
Je 'Je' is the subject pronoun 'I' in 'Je peux dépoussiérer les étagères'. It identifies the speaker who offers to do the dusting. Use 'je + verb' when describing your own action or ability.
peux 'Peux' means 'can' or 'am able to' in 'Je peux dépoussiérer'. It is the form of 'pouvoir' used with 'Je' and is followed here by an infinitive. Reuse 'Je peux + infinitive' to offer or state an ability to do something.
dépoussiérer 'Dépoussiérer' means 'to dust' in 'Je peux dépoussiérer les étagères'. It is an infinitive after 'peux' and names the action the speaker can do. A reusable pattern is 'dépoussiérer + object' when removing dust from something.
étagères 'Étagères' means 'shelves' in 'les étagères'. The plural refers to the shelves that will be dusted. Use 'dépoussiérer les étagères' as a practical cleaning expression.
samedi 'Samedi' means 'Saturday' in 'samedi matin'. It identifies the day when the dusting will take place. A reusable time pattern is 'samedi + part of day', as in the exact phrase 'samedi matin'.
matin 'Matin' means 'morning' in 'samedi matin', specifying the part of Saturday. The two words together form a time expression. Reuse '[day] matin' to identify a morning on a particular day.
Alors 'Alors' means 'then' or 'so' at the beginning of the reply 'Alors, je passerai la serpillière'. It connects the speaker's next decision to the previous offer. Use sentence-initial 'Alors' to introduce a consequence, response, or next step.
passerai In 'je passerai la serpillière', 'passerai' means 'will mop' because it is part of the cleaning construction 'passer la serpillière'; the form alone does not always mean 'mop'. It is the future form used with 'Je' here. Reuse 'passer la serpillière dans + place' for mopping a particular area.
la 'La' is the definite article introducing 'la serpillière', meaning 'the mop'. It marks the specific cleaning tool used in the expression 'passer la serpillière'. Reuse 'la + singular noun' when referring to a specific feminine noun.
serpillière 'Serpillière' means 'mop' in the expression 'passer la serpillière'. The whole expression describes mopping, so the action meaning comes from the construction rather than from the noun alone. A reusable pattern is 'passer la serpillière dans + place'.
dans In 'dans la cuisine', 'dans' means 'in' and places the mopping inside the kitchen. It introduces the place where the action happens. Reuse 'dans + place' to say where an activity takes place.
cuisine 'Cuisine' means 'kitchen' in 'dans la cuisine'. It is the place receiving the preposition 'dans'. A useful reuse pattern is 'nettoyer la cuisine' when talking about cleaning the kitchen.
après 'Après' means 'after' in 'après le déjeuner' and places the mopping later than lunch. It introduces the time reference that follows. Reuse 'après + noun' to describe an action that happens after an event or activity.
le 'Le' is the definite article in 'le déjeuner', meaning 'the' lunch or lunchtime meal. It introduces the specific meal used as the time reference. Reuse 'après le + noun' for saying that something happens after a specific event.
déjeuner 'Déjeuner' means 'lunch' in 'après le déjeuner'. Here it is a noun after 'le' and serves as the time reference for mopping. A reusable pattern is 'après le déjeuner' when scheduling an activity after lunch.
Est-ce que 'Est-ce que' is the question opener in 'Est-ce qu'on devrait nettoyer la salle de bains...?' It forms a neutral yes-or-no question: 'Est-ce' supplies the question frame and 'que' completes the link to the clause that follows. Reuse 'Est-ce que + clause' when asking a direct question without changing the usual statement order.
on 'On' means 'we' in this informal conversation, as in 'on devrait nettoyer'. It is the subject of the suggestion about cleaning the bathroom. A common everyday pattern is 'on + verb' when speakers refer to themselves and others together.
devrait 'Devrait' means 'should' in 'on devrait nettoyer', presenting a suggestion about what the speakers ought to do. It is followed by the infinitive 'nettoyer'. Reuse 'On devrait + infinitive' to propose a shared action.
nettoyer 'Nettoyer' means 'to clean' in 'devrait nettoyer la salle de bains'. It is the infinitive following 'devrait' and names the proposed action. A reusable pattern is 'nettoyer + place or object' when describing a cleaning task.
salle 'Salle' means 'room' in the full expression 'la salle de bains'. Here it is not being used alone; together with 'de bains' it names the bathroom. Reuse 'la salle de bains' when referring to that room.
bains 'Bains' appears in the fixed expression 'la salle de bains', which means 'the bathroom'. Its meaning here comes from the whole expression rather than from 'bains' alone. Use the full phrase 'la salle de bains' when naming the room.
tous 'Tous' means 'every' in 'tous les dimanches', expressing that the action is repeated on each Sunday. It comes before the plural article and day name in this recurring-time expression. Reuse 'tous les + plural time expression' for regular repetition.
dimanches 'Dimanches' means 'Sundays' in 'tous les dimanches'. The plural, together with 'tous les', indicates every Sunday rather than one particular Sunday. A reusable pattern is 'tous les dimanches' for a weekly Sunday habit or schedule.
dimanche 'Dimanche' means 'Sunday' in 'Le dimanche'. Here it identifies the day being proposed for bathroom cleaning. A reusable pattern is 'Le dimanche, ...' when describing a regular Sunday activity.
c'est 'C'est' means 'it is' in 'c'est logique', evaluating the suggested Sunday schedule. It is the exact form used to introduce the description that follows. Reuse 'c'est + adjective' to give a simple evaluation or description.
logique 'Logique' means 'logical' or, in 'c'est logique', 'makes sense'. It describes the choice of Sunday; the full expression carries the evaluation. Use 'c'est logique' to say that a decision or explanation is sensible.
parce que 'Parce que' means 'because' and introduces the reason in 'parce que la salle de bains se salit vite'. The two components work together as one conjunction: 'parce' combines with 'que', which completes the link to the reason clause. Reuse 'parce que + clause' when explaining why something is true.
se In 'se salit vite', 'se' is the reflexive pronoun that makes the verb describe the bathroom becoming dirty. The meaning 'gets dirty' comes from the full pronominal construction 'se salit', not from 'se' alone. A reusable pattern is 'se + verb' when the subject undergoes the action or change described by the verb.
salit With 'se' in 'se salit vite', 'salit' means 'gets dirty'. It describes a change affecting the bathroom, rather than someone actively making it dirty. Reuse the exact construction 'se salit vite' when saying that a place or thing becomes dirty quickly.
vite 'Vite' means 'quickly' in 'se salit vite' and indicates the speed of the change. It modifies the expression describing the bathroom becoming dirty. A reusable pattern is 'verb + vite' to say that an action or change happens quickly.
mettrai 'Mettrai' means 'will put' in 'Je mettrai le planning sur le réfrigérateur'. It is the future form used with 'Je' and describes the speaker's planned action. Reuse 'mettre + object + sur + surface' when saying that something will be placed on a surface.
sur In 'sur le réfrigérateur', 'sur' means 'on' and identifies the surface where the planning will be placed. It introduces the location of the object. Reuse 'sur + surface or object' to describe where something is placed.
réfrigérateur 'Réfrigérateur' means 'refrigerator' or 'fridge' in 'sur le réfrigérateur'. It is the surface or object on which the planning will be placed. A useful reuse pattern is 'sur le réfrigérateur' for something displayed on the fridge.
Ça 'Ça' means 'that' or 'it' in 'Ça devrait nous aider'. It refers back to putting the planning on the refrigerator. Reuse 'Ça + verb' when a conversational pronoun refers to an action, idea, or situation already mentioned.
aider 'Aider' means 'to help' in 'nous aider à nous souvenir'. Here it takes a person before 'à' and an infinitive after it. The reusable pattern is 'aider + person + à + infinitive' for saying that someone or something helps a person do something.
à In 'aider à nous souvenir', 'à' introduces the infinitive phrase that states what the help makes possible. It connects 'aider' with 'nous souvenir'. Reuse 'aider quelqu'un à + infinitive' when describing help with an action.
souvenir In 'nous souvenir de chaque tâche', 'souvenir' is part of the infinitive construction 'se souvenir de', meaning 'to remember'. The reflexive pronoun and the preposition are required for this meaning, so 'souvenir' alone does not carry the whole construction. Reuse 'se souvenir de + thing' when referring to something remembered.
chaque 'Chaque' means 'each' in 'chaque tâche', referring to the tasks one by one. It is followed here by the singular noun 'tâche'. Reuse 'chaque + singular noun' when emphasizing individual members of a group.
tâche 'Tâche' means 'task' or 'chore' in 'chaque tâche'. It is the thing the speakers want to remember, and 'chaque' makes it singular in the phrase. A useful reuse pattern is 'se souvenir de chaque tâche' when remembering every assigned chore.

Grammar Points

se souvenir de + nom

se souvenir de chaque tâche

suh soo-vuh-NEER duh SHAHK TAHSH

to remember each task

Le verbe pronominal « se souvenir » se construit avec « de » avant ce dont on se souvient.

chaque + nom singulier

chaque samedi

SHAHK sahm-DEE

each Saturday

Après « chaque », le nom reste au singulier, même si le sens concerne plusieurs occasions.

French Vocabulary

appartement noun
ah-par-tuh-MAHN apartment
dépoussiérer verb
day-poo-see-AY to dust
équitable adj
ay-kee-TAHBL fair; even
étagère noun
ay-tah-ZHER shelf étagères
façon noun
fah-SOHN way; manner
matin noun
mah-TAHN morning
ménage noun
meh-NAHZH cleaning; housework
partager verb
par-tah-ZHAY to share; to divide partageons
passer la serpillière phrase
pah-SAY lah sair-pee-YEHR to mop
planning noun
plah-NEENG schedule
samedi noun
sahm-DEE Saturday
tâche noun
TAHSH task; chore tâches

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

task; chore

Show Answertâches

way; manner

Show Answerfaçon

cleaning; housework

Show Answerménage

to share; to divide

Show Answerpartageons