A fair cleaning routine | Learn French in English

About This Lesson

Use A fair cleaning routine to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Notre routine de ménage ne fonctionne pas, et la cuisine devient sans cesse désordonnée.

nohtr roo-TEEN duh may-NAHZH nuh fohnk-SYON pah, ay lah kwee-ZEEN duh-VYEN sahn SESS day-zor-doh-NAY. Our cleaning routine is not working, and the kitchen keeps getting messy.

Je ne pense pas que l'un de nous deux le fasse exprès.

zhuh nuh PAHNS pah kuh LUN duh noo DUH luh fass ex-PRAY. I do not think either of us is doing it on purpose.

Peut-être qu'il nous faut une règle plus claire, surtout pour la vaisselle et la cuisinière.

put-ETR keel noo FOH oon REGL ploo KLAIR, soo-TOO poor lah vah-SELL ay lah kwee-zee-NYAIR. Maybe we need a clearer standard, especially for dishes and the stove.

On pourrait alterner les tâches chaque semaine, pour que la même personne ne passe pas toujours la serpillière.

ohn poo-RAY al-tehr-NAY lay TAHSH shak suh-MEN, poor kuh lah MEM pair-SON nuh pahss pah too-ZHOOR lah sair-pee-YAIR. We could rotate tasks weekly, so the same person does not always mop.

Ça me paraît juste, même si je préfère sortir les poubelles plutôt que nettoyer la salle de bains.

sah muh pah-RAY ZHOOST, mem see zhuh pray-FAIR sor-TEER lay poo-BELL ploo-TOH kuh nay-twah-YAY lah sahl duh BAN. That sounds fair, although I prefer taking out the trash to cleaning the bathroom.

Les préférences, c'est bien, mais il faut quand même se répartir les tâches désagréables.

lay pray-fay-RAHNS, say BYEN, may eel foh kahn MEM suh ray-par-TEER lay TAHSH day-zah-gray-AHBL. Preferences are fine, but the unpleasant jobs still need to be shared.

Si on l'écrit, on peut éviter que la rancœur s'accumule plus tard.

see ohn lay-KREE, ohn puh ay-vee-TAY kuh lah rahn-KUR sah-kyoo-MOOL ploo TAR. If we write it down, we can keep resentment from building up later.

Faisons un tableau simple et revoyons-le après l'avoir essayé pendant quelque temps.

fuh-ZOHN zahn tah-BLOH SAM-pl ay ruh-vuh-YOHN-luh ah-PRAY lah-VWAR ay-say-YAY pahn-DAHN kelk TAHN. Let's make a simple chart and review it after we try it for a while.

Si ça nous semble trop strict, on peut le modifier au lieu de se disputer.

see sah noo SAHM-bluh troh STREEKT, ohn puh luh moh-dee-FYAY oh LYEH duh suh dee-spoo-TAY. If it feels too strict, we can adjust it instead of arguing.

Le but, c'est d'avoir une maison plus propre, pas un système parfait.

luh BOO, say dah-VWAR oon may-ZOHN ploo PROPR, pah zun sees-TEM par-FAY. The goal is a cleaner home, not a perfect system.

Word by Word

Notre “Notre” means “our” in “Notre routine de ménage”, showing that the routine belongs to the speakers together. It is placed before the noun it describes. Use it when referring to something shared by the speaker and another person.

routine “Routine” means a regular way of doing something, here a cleaning routine. In “routine de ménage”, “de ménage” specifies what kind of routine it is. It can be used before a phrase that identifies a regular activity.

de In “routine de ménage”, “de” links the noun “routine” to the activity it concerns, meaning “of” or “for”. It also commonly links a noun to a related activity or category. Here it helps form the expression for a cleaning routine.

ménage “Ménage” means cleaning or housework in this dialogue. In “routine de ménage”, it identifies the activity covered by the routine. Use it when discussing household cleaning or chores.

ne “Ne” is the first part of the French negative structure in “ne fonctionne pas” and “ne pense pas”. It signals that the following verb is being negated, together with “pas”. Use it before the conjugated verb in this type of negation.

fonctionne “Fonctionne” means “works” or “functions” in “ne fonctionne pas”, referring to the cleaning routine. It is the form of “fonctionner” used with the routine as the subject. It can describe whether a plan, system, or device works.

pas “Pas” completes the negation in “ne fonctionne pas” and means “not” with “ne”. Together, the two words say that the routine does not work. The same pattern is used to negate many conjugated verbs.

et “Et” means “and” and joins the statement about the routine to the statement about the kitchen. It connects two related pieces of information. Use it to add another fact or action.

la “La” means “the” before the feminine noun “cuisine”. It identifies a specific kitchen in the shared home. It is placed directly before the noun it determines.

cuisine “Cuisine” means “kitchen” in “la cuisine”. The word refers to the shared room that is becoming messy. Use it when talking about the kitchen or kitchen-related activities.

devient “Devient” means “becomes” or “gets” in “la cuisine devient ...”, describing a change in the kitchen’s condition. It is the form of “devenir” used with “la cuisine” as the subject. It can introduce a new state or condition.

sans “Sans” means “without” in the expression “sans cesse”. Here it contributes to the meaning “continually” or “without stopping”. It commonly appears before a noun or within a fixed expression showing absence or lack.

cesse In “sans cesse”, “cesse” contributes to the meaning “without stopping”, so the kitchen keeps becoming messy. The expression is understood as a repeated or continuous action rather than as a separate literal noun meaning. Use “sans cesse” to describe something that happens continually.

désordonnée “Désordonnée” means “messy” or “disordered” in “la cuisine devient sans cesse désordonnée”. It describes the state the kitchen keeps entering. It can describe a room or another feminine noun that is untidy.

Je “Je” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Je ne pense pas”. It comes before the conjugated verb. Use it to state your own opinion, thought, or action.

pense “Pense” means “think” in “Je ne pense pas que...”, introducing the speaker’s opinion. It is the form of “penser” used with “Je”. It commonly appears before “que” when introducing what someone thinks.

que “Que” means “that” after “Je ne pense pas” and introduces the content of the thought. It links the opinion to the following clause. Use it to connect a verb of thinking or saying with a complete statement.

l'un “L’un” means “one” in “l’un de nous deux”, referring to one member of the two housemates. The apostrophe is part of the exact form before the following phrase. It is useful in expressions that identify one person or thing from a group.

nous “Nous” means “us” in “l’un de nous deux”, identifying the group from which one person is selected. Here it follows “de” in the expression “one of us two”. It can also be used as “we” when it is the subject of a clause.

deux “Deux” means “two” in “l’un de nous deux”, making clear that the group contains the two housemates. It follows the phrase referring to “us”. Use it to specify a quantity of two.

le In “le fasse”, “le” means “it”, referring to the cleaning behavior or task already under discussion. In “Le but”, the capitalized form “Le” means “the” before “but”. Its meaning therefore depends on whether it is an object pronoun or a determiner before a noun.

fasse “Fasse” means “does” in “que l’un de nous deux le fasse exprès”, referring to carrying out the action intentionally. It is a form of “faire” used after “ne pense pas que”. It can appear in a clause expressing doubt or a negative opinion about an action.

exprès “Exprès” means “intentionally” in “le fasse exprès”. It shows that the action would be deliberate rather than accidental. Use it when discussing whether someone did something on purpose.

Peut-être “Peut-être” means “maybe” and introduces a possible explanation or suggestion. Here it softens the proposal that a clearer rule is needed. Use it at the beginning of a sentence when you want to present an idea without stating it as certain.

qu'il “Qu’il” combines “que” and “il” in “Peut-être qu’il nous faut...”. Here it introduces the statement that a clearer rule is needed; “il” is part of the expression “il faut”. This contracted form is used before a vowel sound.

faut In “il nous faut une règle”, “faut” expresses that a clearer rule is needed. The complete expression places the needed thing after “nous”. Use “il faut” to state a necessity or requirement.

une “Une” means “a” or “one” before the feminine noun “règle”. It introduces one rule that is not yet otherwise identified. It is placed before a feminine singular noun.

règle “Règle” means “rule” in “une règle plus claire”. Here it refers to a standard for cleaning the shared areas. It can be followed by an adjective or a phrase explaining what the rule is like.

plus “Plus” means “more” in “plus claire”, making the rule clearer than the current standard. It comes before the adjective it modifies. Use it to form a comparison or indicate an increased degree.

claire “Claire” means “clear” in “une règle plus claire”. It describes a rule whose expectations are easier to understand. It can describe a feminine noun and can be modified by “plus”.

surtout “Surtout” means “especially” and highlights dishes and the stove as the areas needing particular attention. It focuses the statement on selected items. Use it before the item or idea that deserves special emphasis.

pour In “pour la vaisselle”, “pour” means “for”, identifying the area or subject covered by the rule. In “pour que la même personne...”, it helps introduce the intended result of rotating tasks. It commonly appears before a noun or before “que” in a purpose or result clause.

vaisselle “Vaisselle” refers to the dishes or dishware in “la vaisselle”. It is one of the household areas covered by the clearer cleaning rule. Use it when discussing dishes as a group or the task of dealing with them.

cuisinière “Cuisinière” means “stove” in “la cuisinière”. It identifies another specific kitchen item that should be included in the cleaning standard. Use it when referring to the cooking appliance.

On “On” means “we” in “On pourrait alterner” and in “Si on l’écrit”, referring to the two housemates together. It is also used for a general “one” in other contexts, but that is not the meaning here. It is followed by a verb in the singular form.

pourrait “Pourrait” means “could” in “On pourrait alterner”, presenting a possible suggestion rather than a firm instruction. It is the form of “pouvoir” used with “on”. Use it to propose a possible action politely.

alterner “Alterner” means “to alternate” or “to rotate” in “alterner les tâches”. It describes switching responsibility from one person to the other. It is followed here by the task being rotated.

les “Les” means “the” before the plural noun “tâches” in “les tâches”. In “Les préférences”, the capitalized form “Les” also identifies plural preferences. It is used before plural nouns when referring to the relevant items or ideas.

tâches “Tâches” means “tasks” or “chores” in “les tâches”. In the lesson, these are household jobs that can be rotated and shared. It commonly follows a determiner such as “les” and can be described by an adjective.

chaque “Chaque” means “each” or “every” in “chaque semaine”. It indicates that the rotation happens week by week. It is placed before a singular noun to refer to every individual period or item.

semaine “Semaine” means “week” in “chaque semaine”. The phrase sets the frequency for rotating the chores. It can follow a word such as “chaque” to express a repeated time period.

même “Même” means “same” in “la même personne”. It emphasizes that one identical person should not always mop. It is placed before the noun it describes in this expression.

personne “Personne” means “person” in “la même personne”. Here it refers to one housemate responsible for a task, not to the negative expression meaning “nobody”. It can be preceded by a determiner and modified by an adjective.

passe “Passe” means “mops” in “passe la serpillière”, where the action is expressed with the object “la serpillière”. It is the form of “passer” used with “la même personne”. This construction is used to talk about mopping a floor.

toujours “Toujours” means “always” in “ne passe pas toujours”, describing a repeated assignment that should not continue every time. It modifies the action “passe”. Use it to describe something that happens on every occasion or repeatedly.

serpillière “Serpillière” means “mop” in “passer la serpillière”. It is the object used with the verb expression for mopping. Use it when talking about cleaning a floor with a mop.

Ça “Ça” means “that” or “it” in “Ça me paraît juste”, referring to the proposed rotation of tasks. The lowercase form “ça” in “Si ça nous semble trop strict” refers to the cleaning chart or arrangement. It is commonly used to refer to an idea, situation, or thing already understood.

me “Me” means “to me” in “Ça me paraît juste”, showing whose impression is being expressed. It comes before the verb in this construction. Use it when describing how something seems or feels to the speaker.

paraît “Paraît” means “seems” in “Ça me paraît juste”. The phrase expresses the speaker’s judgment that the arrangement appears fair. It commonly occurs with a person who has the impression and an adjective describing that impression.

juste “Juste” means “fair” in “Ça me paraît juste”, describing the proposed arrangement as balanced. It is the adjective expressing the speaker’s evaluation. It can be used after a verb such as “paraît” to give an opinion about a plan.

si The lowercase “si” in “même si” means “if” as part of “even if”. The capitalized “Si” begins the condition “Si je...”, where it also means “if”. It introduces a condition or concession before the related statement.

préfère “Préfère” means “prefer” in “je préfère sortir les poubelles plutôt que nettoyer...”. It introduces the activity the speaker would rather do. It commonly appears before an infinitive or before a comparison with “plutôt que”.

sortir “Sortir” means “to take out” in “sortir les poubelles”, referring to taking the trash bins or garbage outside. The object follows directly after the infinitive. Use it with a household item when describing taking that item out.

poubelles “Poubelles” means “trash bins” or “garbage” in “sortir les poubelles”. It is the household task the speaker prefers. It commonly follows “sortir” in this cleaning context.

plutôt “Plutôt” means “rather” in “plutôt que nettoyer”, marking the preferred option in a comparison. Together with “que”, it contrasts two activities. Use “plutôt que” to say that one option is preferred over another.

nettoyer “Nettoyer” means “to clean” in “nettoyer la salle de bains”. It names the activity the speaker prefers less than taking out the trash. It is followed here by the room being cleaned.

salle “Salle” means “room” in “la salle de bains”. It forms part of the expression for the bathroom. It is followed by “de bains” to specify which room is meant.

bains In “salle de bains”, “bains” helps specify that the room is a bathroom. The whole expression means “bathroom”, rather than referring here to separate baths. Keep it together with “salle de” when naming this room.

préférences “Préférences” means “preferences” in “Les préférences”. It refers to the housemates’ preferred chores, which are acknowledged but do not remove the need to share unpleasant work. It is used as a plural noun for choices or likes.

c'est “C’est” means “it is” in “Les préférences, c’est bien”, giving an evaluation of the preferences just mentioned. Here it presents them as acceptable before the sentence adds a limitation. It commonly introduces a judgment about a situation or idea.

bien “Bien” means “fine” or “good” in “c’est bien”. It expresses acceptance of having preferences, without saying that preferences solve the whole problem. It can follow “c’est” to give a positive evaluation.

mais “Mais” means “but” and contrasts accepting preferences with the need to share unpleasant chores. It introduces the qualification that follows. Use it to connect an initial point with a limitation or opposing point.

il In “il faut quand même...”, “il” is part of the impersonal expression stating that something is necessary; it does not mean “he”. It comes before “faut” in this construction. Use “il faut” to express a requirement or necessity.

quand In “quand même”, “quand” contributes to the meaning “still” or “all the same”, not the question word “when”. The complete expression emphasizes that the unpleasant tasks nevertheless have to be shared. Use “quand même” to maintain a point despite what was just said.

se “Se” is part of the shared-action expressions “se répartir les tâches” and “se disputer”. It shows that the action involves the people themselves or each other in these constructions. It appears before the infinitive in both expressions.

répartir “Répartir” means “to share out” or “to distribute” in “se répartir les tâches”. The housemates divide the chores between themselves. It is followed here by the thing being distributed, “les tâches”.

désagréables “Désagréables” means “unpleasant” in “les tâches désagréables”. It describes the chores that neither housemate particularly wants to do. It follows the plural noun it describes and agrees with that plural noun.

l'écrit “L’écrit” means “writes it” in “Si on l’écrit”, where “l’” refers to the cleaning arrangement or chart and “écrit” expresses writing it down. The exact form combines the object reference with the verb form of “écrire”. Use this structure when recording something already understood from the context.

éviter “Éviter” means “to avoid” in “éviter que la rancœur s’accumule”. It expresses preventing a later negative result. It commonly appears before a noun or before “que” followed by the result being prevented.

rancœur “Rancœur” means “resentment” in “la rancœur”. It refers to the negative feeling that could grow if chores seem unfair. It can be used as the subject of a statement about feelings building up or remaining over time.

s'accumule “S’accumule” means “builds up” in “la rancœur s’accumule”. It describes resentment gradually increasing rather than appearing all at once. It is used here with an abstract feeling as the subject.

tard “Tard” means “later” in “plus tard”, referring to a future point when resentment might have grown. It places the possible result after the current discussion. Use it to refer generally to a later time.

Faisons “Faisons” means “let’s make” in “Faisons un tableau simple”. It proposes a joint action by the speakers. This form is used to invite the other person to do something together.

un “Un” means “a” before “tableau”, introducing one simple chart. It identifies a singular masculine noun without specifying a previously known chart. It is placed directly before the noun.

tableau “Tableau” means “chart” in “un tableau simple”. Here it refers to a written schedule for assigning the cleaning tasks. It can be followed by an adjective describing the chart.

simple “Simple” means “simple” in “un tableau simple”, describing a chart that is not complicated. It gives a quality of the noun “tableau”. It can follow the noun in this type of description.

revoyons-le “Revoyons-le” means “let’s review it” in “revoyons-le après...”. The ending “-le” refers back to the chart, while “revoyons” proposes reviewing it together. Use this kind of form when suggesting that a shared plan be checked again.

après “Après” means “after” in “après l’avoir essayé”. It places the review after the chart has been tested for some time. It can introduce a noun or an infinitive construction describing what comes first.

l'avoir “L’avoir” means “having it” in “après l’avoir essayé”, where “l’” refers to the chart and “avoir” helps form the completed action before the review. The expression means after the housemates have tried it. It is used before the past participle in this time sequence.

essayé “Essayé” means “tried” in “l’avoir essayé”, referring to trying the cleaning chart in practice. It completes the expression for having tested the chart. It can follow “avoir” in a construction describing an action completed before another action.

pendant “Pendant” means “for” or “during” in “pendant quelque temps”. It indicates the duration of the trial period. It commonly comes before a noun phrase naming the period or event.

quelque “Quelque” means “some” or “a certain amount of” in “quelque temps”. Together, the phrase means “some time” or “a while”. It is placed before the noun that expresses the unspecified amount.

temps “Temps” means “time” in “quelque temps”, referring to the period during which the chart will be tested. The phrase does not specify an exact duration. It commonly appears after a word indicating an amount or period.

semble “Semble” means “seems” in “ça nous semble trop strict”. It expresses how the arrangement appears to the housemates. It commonly appears with a person affected by the impression and an adjective describing it.

trop “Trop” means “too” in “trop strict”, showing that the chart may be stricter than acceptable. It comes before the adjective it intensifies. Use it to indicate an excessive degree.

strict “Strict” means “strict” in “ça nous semble trop strict”, describing a rule or arrangement with excessive rigidity. It is the quality being evaluated by the housemates. It can follow a verb such as “semble” and be modified by “trop”.

modifier “Modifier” means “to adjust” or “to modify” in “on peut le modifier”. It refers to changing the chart if it does not work well. It is followed here by “le”, which refers to the chart.

au “Au” is the contracted form used in “au lieu de”, the expression meaning “instead of”. Here it contributes to the contrast between modifying the chart and arguing. It appears as part of the fixed construction “au lieu de”.

lieu In “au lieu de”, “lieu” contributes to the meaning “instead of”, although its literal meaning is “place”. The whole expression introduces the action chosen in place of another action. Keep “au lieu de” together when expressing this alternative.

disputer In “se disputer”, “disputer” means “to argue” or “to quarrel”. The form appears after “au lieu de” as the action the housemates want to avoid. Use it in the pronominal expression “se disputer” when people argue with each other.

but “But” means “goal” in “Le but”. It identifies the main purpose of the cleaning arrangement. It can be followed by “c’est de” and an infinitive phrase explaining the goal.

d'avoir “D’avoir” means “to have” in “Le but, c’est d’avoir...”, introducing what the goal consists of. It is “de” followed by the infinitive “avoir”. This construction commonly expresses the aim or desired result of a plan.

maison “Maison” means “house” or “home” in “une maison plus propre”. It refers to the shared home whose cleanliness is the goal. It can be modified by an adjective such as “plus propre”.

propre “Propre” means “clean” in “une maison plus propre”. With “plus”, the phrase means “a cleaner home”, describing the desired improvement. It is placed after the noun in this phrase.

système “Système” means “system” in “un système parfait”. Here it refers to the cleaning arrangement or method. It is compared with the more practical goal of having a cleaner home.

parfait “Parfait” means “perfect” in “un système parfait”. It describes the ideal standard that is not necessary for the speakers’ goal. It follows the noun it describes in this phrase.

Grammar Points

plus + adjectif

plus propre

ploo PROPR

cleaner

En français, plus placé devant un adjectif forme le comparatif : plus propre signifie « cleaner ».

se + verbe pronominal

se répartir / se disputer

suh ray-par-TEER / suh dee-spoo-TAY

to share out / to argue

Le pronom se accompagne le verbe dans ces formes pronominales et fait partie de la conjugaison.

French Vocabulary

alterner verb

al-tehr-NAY to alternate; to rotate

On pourrait alterner les tâches chaque semaine.

cuisinière noun

kwee-zee-NYAIR stove; cooker

Surtout pour la vaisselle et la cuisinière.

désordonnée adj

day-zor-doh-NAY messy; untidy

La cuisine devient sans cesse désordonnée.

faire exprès phrase

fair ex-PRAY to do something on purpose

Je ne pense pas que l'un de nous deux le fasse exprès.

fonctionne verb

fohnk-SYON works; is working

Notre routine de ménage ne fonctionne pas.

paraît juste phrase

pah-RAY ZHOOST seems fair

Ça me paraît juste.

règle noun

REGL rule

Il nous faut une règle plus claire.

routine de ménage phrase

roo-TEEN duh may-NAHZH cleaning routine

Notre routine de ménage ne fonctionne pas.

serpillière noun

sair-pee-YAIR mop

La même personne ne passe pas toujours la serpillière.

sortir les poubelles phrase

sor-TEER lay poo-BELL to take out the trash

Je préfère sortir les poubelles plutôt que nettoyer la salle de bains.

tâche noun

TAHSH task; chore tâches

On pourrait alterner les tâches chaque semaine.

vaisselle noun

vah-SELL dishes; crockery

Surtout pour la vaisselle et la cuisinière.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

messy; untidy

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désordonnée

task; chore

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tâches

to alternate; to rotate

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alterner

rule

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règle