A Fair Cleaning Routine | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use A Fair Cleaning Routine to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我们的清洁安排不起作用，厨房总是变得很乱。

Wǒmen de qīngjié ānpái bù qǐ zuòyòng, chúfáng zǒng shì biàn de hěn luàn. Our cleaning routine is not working, and the kitchen keeps getting messy.

我不觉得我们中的任何一个人是故意这样做的。

Wǒ bù juéde wǒmen zhōng de rènhé yí ge rén shì gùyì zhèyàng zuò de. I do not think either of us is doing it on purpose.

也许我们需要一个更明确的标准，尤其是对餐具和炉子的清洁。

Yěxǔ wǒmen xūyào yí ge gèng míngquè de biāozhǔn, yóuqí shì duì cānjù hé lúzi de qīngjié. Maybe we need a clearer standard, especially for dishes and the stove.

我们可以每周轮换任务，这样就不会总是同一个人拖地。

Wǒmen kěyǐ měi zhōu lúnhuàn rènwu, zhèyàng jiù bú huì zǒng shì tóng yí ge rén tuō dì. We could rotate tasks weekly, so the same person does not always mop.

听起来很公平，不过比起打扫浴室，我更喜欢倒垃圾。

Tīng qǐlái hěn gōngpíng, búguò bǐqǐ dǎsǎo yùshì, wǒ gèng xǐhuān dào lājī. That sounds fair, although I prefer taking out the trash to cleaning the bathroom.

有偏好没有关系，但那些不讨人喜欢的工作还是需要分担。

Yǒu piānhào méiyǒu guānxi, dàn nàxiē bù tǎo rén xǐhuān de gōngzuò háishi xūyào fēndān. Preferences are fine, but the unpleasant jobs still need to be shared.

如果我们把它写下来，就能避免以后积累怨气。

Rúguǒ wǒmen bǎ tā xiě xiàlái, jiù néng bìmiǎn yǐhòu jīlěi yuànqì. If we write it down, we can keep resentment from building up later.

我们做一个简单的表格，试用一段时间后再一起看看。

Wǒmen zuò yí ge jiǎndān de biǎogé, shìyòng yí duàn shíjiān hòu zài yìqǐ kànkan. Let's make a simple chart and review it after we try it for a while.

如果觉得它太严格了，我们可以调整它，而不是争吵。

Rúguǒ juéde tā tài yángé le, wǒmen kěyǐ tiáozhěng tā, ér bú shì zhēngchǎo. If it feels too strict, we can adjust it instead of arguing.

我们的目标是让家里更干净，而不是制定一个完美的制度。

Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì ràng jiā lǐ gèng gānjìng, ér bú shì zhìdìng yí ge wánměi de zhìdù. The goal is a cleaner home, not a perfect system.

Word by Word

我们 ‘我们’ means “we” or “us” and refers to the two housemates in ‘我们的清洁安排’. It is used when the speaker includes themself with other people, such as in a shared responsibility.

的 In ‘我们的清洁安排’, ‘的’ links ‘我们’ to the thing connected with them, meaning “our”. It commonly follows a person or group before a noun to show possession or association.

清洁 ‘清洁’ refers to cleaning in ‘清洁安排’, the activity of keeping the home clean. It can describe cleaning-related tasks or conditions, especially in a home or workplace routine.

安排 ‘安排’ means an arrangement or organized plan in ‘清洁安排’. It is useful when people decide how activities, duties, or time will be organized.

不 ‘不’ makes the following idea negative, as in ‘不起作用’ and ‘不觉得’. It is commonly placed before a verb or description to say that something does not happen or is not the case.

起作用 ‘起作用’ means “work” or “have an effect” in ‘清洁安排不起作用’. ‘起’ contributes the idea of taking effect, while ‘作用’ refers to an effect or function; together they form the expression “be effective”. It is useful for plans, methods, or tools that produce the intended result.

厨房 ‘厨房’ means “kitchen” in ‘厨房总是变得很乱’. It is used when talking about the room where food is prepared or about cleaning that room.

总是 ‘总是’ means “always” or “repeatedly” in ‘总是变得很乱’, showing that the kitchen repeatedly becomes messy. It commonly comes before the verb or description of a recurring situation.

变得 ‘变得’ means “become” or “get” in ‘变得很乱’, describing a change into a new condition. It is commonly followed by an adjective or description of the resulting state.

很 ‘很’ adds degree to the description ‘很乱’, meaning “very” or making the adjective sound natural in this sentence. It commonly appears before an adjective when describing a degree or condition.

乱 ‘乱’ means messy or untidy in ‘变得很乱’. It describes a disorganized condition, such as a shared room or kitchen that needs cleaning.

我 ‘我’ means “I” or “me” in ‘我不觉得’. It identifies the speaker as the person expressing an opinion or feeling.

觉得 ‘觉得’ means “think” or “feel” in ‘我不觉得我们中的任何一个人是故意这样做的’. It introduces the speaker’s judgment or personal impression, and commonly comes before a statement or description.

中 In ‘我们中的任何一个人’, ‘中’ means “among” or “within” and places the person inside the group ‘我们’. It is useful when selecting or describing one member of a larger group.

任何 ‘任何’ means “any” in ‘任何一个人’, referring to an unrestricted choice within the group. In this sentence, the negative context makes the meaning “any one of us” as part of the claim that nobody did it deliberately.

一个 ‘一个’ means “one” or “a single” in ‘一个人’. It specifies one individual and commonly comes before a noun when identifying a single person or thing.

人 ‘人’ means “person” in ‘一个人’. It is used to refer to an individual or to people generally, including people who share a home.

是 ‘是’ means “be” in ‘是故意这样做的’, linking the person to the description ‘故意’. It commonly identifies or characterizes someone or something.

故意 ‘故意’ means intentionally or on purpose in ‘故意这样做’. It describes an action done deliberately, and is useful when discussing whether a result was planned or accidental.

这样 ‘这样’ means “this way” or “like this” in ‘这样做’, referring to the manner of doing something. It commonly comes before a verb to point to the way an action is carried out.

做 ‘做’ means “do” in ‘这样做’, referring to carrying out the action being discussed. It is widely used before an activity or after a manner expression such as ‘这样’.

也许 ‘也许’ means “maybe” or “perhaps” in ‘也许我们需要’. It softens a suggestion or opinion when the speaker is proposing a possible explanation or solution.

需要 ‘需要’ means “need” in ‘我们需要一个更明确的标准’. It introduces something necessary and commonly comes before the needed object or action.

更 ‘更’ means “more” or “even more” in ‘更明确’, comparing the proposed standard with the current one. It commonly appears before an adjective when describing a higher degree.

明确 ‘明确’ means clear or definite in ‘更明确的标准’. It describes a standard or instruction that leaves less uncertainty about what people should do.

标准 ‘标准’ means “standard” in ‘一个更明确的标准’, referring to the agreed level or rule for cleaning. It is useful when people need a shared way to judge whether something is acceptable.

尤其 ‘尤其’ means “especially” in ‘尤其是对餐具和炉子的清洁’, highlighting particular examples within a wider topic. It commonly introduces the areas or cases that deserve special attention.

对 In ‘对餐具和炉子的清洁’, ‘对’ marks what the standard applies to: the cleaning of the dishes and stove. It commonly introduces the person, object, or area affected by an attitude, rule, or action.

餐具 ‘餐具’ means dishes or tableware in ‘餐具和炉子’. It refers to the items used for eating or serving food, especially when discussing washing or cleaning.

和 ‘和’ means “and” in ‘餐具和炉子’, joining two items in the same list. It commonly connects nouns, people, or activities that are being treated together.

炉子 ‘炉子’ means “stove” in ‘餐具和炉子的清洁’. It refers to the cooking appliance that the housemates want included in their cleaning standard.

可以 ‘可以’ means “can” or “could” in ‘我们可以每周轮换任务’, presenting a possible and acceptable plan. It commonly comes before a proposed action or arrangement.

每周 ‘每周’ means “every week” or “weekly” in ‘每周轮换任务’. It sets the repeated time period for an activity and commonly comes before the verb.

轮换 ‘轮换’ means rotate or take turns in ‘轮换任务’, describing a system in which responsibilities change between people. It is useful when duties need to be shared across repeated periods.

任务 ‘任务’ means “task” in ‘轮换任务’, referring to a duty that someone is responsible for completing. It is commonly used for assigned work in a plan or schedule.

就 In ‘这样就不会总是同一个人拖地’, ‘就’ marks the result that follows from the proposed arrangement, roughly “then” or “so”. It commonly appears after a condition or plan before its consequence.

会 ‘会’ in ‘不会总是同一个人拖地’ indicates an expected or likely result, here under negation: the same person will not always mop. It commonly describes what is expected to happen under a situation or arrangement.

同 ‘同’ means “same” in ‘同一个人’, identifying one person as identical to the person referred to before. It commonly appears before ‘一个人’ or another noun when emphasizing sameness.

拖地 ‘拖地’ means “mop the floor” in ‘同一个人拖地’. It names a specific household cleaning task and can be assigned as one item in a chore schedule.

听起来 ‘听起来’ means “sound” or “seem from hearing” in ‘听起来很公平’. ‘听’ contributes hearing, while ‘起来’ presents the impression that arises; together they describe an assessment based on what was heard. It commonly comes before an adjective expressing that impression.

公平 ‘公平’ means fair in ‘听起来很公平’, describing an arrangement that treats the housemates reasonably. It is useful when evaluating a division of duties, time, or responsibility.

不过 ‘不过’ means “however” or “but” in ‘不过比起打扫浴室’, introducing a qualification to the previous positive opinion. It is useful when agreeing with one point while adding a different preference or limitation.

比起 ‘比起’ introduces the thing used for comparison in ‘比起打扫浴室，我更喜欢倒垃圾’. It frames the activity that the speaker prefers less or uses as the comparison point, followed by the preferred option.

打扫 ‘打扫’ means clean or clean up in ‘打扫浴室’. It refers to carrying out cleaning work in a place and commonly comes before the room or area being cleaned.

浴室 ‘浴室’ means “bathroom” in ‘打扫浴室’. It identifies the room where bathing takes place and is one of the shared cleaning areas in the dialogue.

喜欢 ‘喜欢’ means “like” or “prefer” in ‘我更喜欢倒垃圾’. It expresses the speaker’s preference and commonly comes before the activity or object that is liked.

倒 ‘倒’ means take out or empty in ‘倒垃圾’, referring here to taking the trash out. Its meaning is determined by the household context and the object ‘垃圾’; it is useful when describing this specific chore.

垃圾 ‘垃圾’ means trash or garbage in ‘倒垃圾’. It refers to unwanted household waste, especially when discussing disposal or cleaning duties.

有 ‘有’ means “have” in ‘有偏好’, introducing the existence of a preference. It commonly comes before something a person possesses, experiences, or has as a characteristic.

偏好 ‘偏好’ means “preference” in ‘有偏好’, referring to a person’s favored choice among tasks. It is useful when discussing different likes without making those preferences the whole decision.

没有关系 ‘没有关系’ means “it is fine” or “it does not matter” in ‘有偏好没有关系’. ‘没有’ contributes the idea of there being no issue, and ‘关系’ refers to concern or consequence; together they reassure the listener that the preference is acceptable. It is useful after someone mentions a small problem or personal preference.

但 ‘但’ means “but” in ‘但那些不讨人喜欢的工作还是需要分担’, marking a contrast with the previous statement. It commonly introduces the point that remains true despite what was just said.

那些 ‘那些’ means “those” in ‘那些不讨人喜欢的工作’, pointing to particular jobs already being discussed. It commonly comes before a noun phrase to identify items at some distance in the conversation or situation.

讨人喜欢 ‘讨人喜欢’ means “be pleasant or likable” in the phrase ‘不讨人喜欢’. ‘讨’ contributes pleasing or winning approval, ‘人’ identifies people, and ‘喜欢’ contributes liking; together they describe something people like. It can describe jobs, behavior, or things that are pleasant to others.

工作 ‘工作’ means work or job in ‘不讨人喜欢的工作’. Here it refers to household duties, especially cleaning tasks, and it can identify the activity that needs to be shared.

还是 ‘还是’ means “still” or “nevertheless” in ‘还是需要分担’, showing that the jobs must be shared despite personal preferences. It commonly emphasizes that a requirement remains valid after a qualification or contrast.

分担 ‘分担’ means share or divide a responsibility in ‘工作还是需要分担’. It is useful when several people each take part in handling an unpleasant duty or burden.

如果 ‘如果’ means “if” in ‘如果我们把它写下来’, introducing a condition. It commonly comes before the condition that leads to a possible result.

把 In ‘把它写下来’, ‘把’ marks ‘它’ as the object being handled by the following action. This construction commonly places a specific object before the verb when the action changes, moves, or deals with it.

它 ‘它’ means “it” in ‘把它写下来’, referring to the cleaning arrangement or plan being discussed. It is used for a non-person object whose identity is already clear from context.

写下来 ‘写下来’ means “write down” in ‘把它写下来’. ‘写’ contributes the writing action, while ‘下来’ presents the result of putting the information into a recorded form. It is useful when turning an agreement, idea, or instruction into written notes.

能 ‘能’ means “can” or “be able to” in ‘能避免以后积累怨气’, expressing that the written plan makes the result possible. It commonly comes before a verb to describe ability or a possible outcome.

避免 ‘避免’ means avoid or prevent in ‘避免以后积累怨气’. It introduces an unwanted result that someone takes action to stop, and is useful when discussing ways to reduce future problems.

以后 ‘以后’ means “later” or “afterward” in ‘以后积累怨气’, referring to a future time after the current agreement. It commonly indicates when a later consequence or action may occur.

积累 ‘积累’ means accumulate or build up in ‘积累怨气’, describing resentment increasing gradually over time. It commonly comes before something that can gather little by little, such as feelings, experience, or resources.

怨气 ‘怨气’ means resentment or grievance in ‘积累怨气’. It refers to negative feelings that can grow when someone feels unhappy or treated unfairly, making it relevant to unclear shared duties.

简单 ‘简单’ means simple in ‘一个简单的表格’, describing a chart that is easy to use and not complicated. It commonly comes before a noun to describe an uncomplicated plan, tool, or arrangement.

表格 ‘表格’ means chart or table in ‘一个简单的表格’, referring to the written schedule for cleaning tasks. It is useful for organizing information into visible rows, columns, or assignments.

试用 ‘试用’ means try out or test in ‘试用一段时间’, describing temporary use to see whether the chart works in practice. It is useful when evaluating a new system before deciding to keep or change it.

一段 ‘一段’ means “a stretch” or “a period” in ‘一段时间’, referring to an unspecified length of time. It commonly describes a continuous period rather than a precise date or duration.

时间 ‘时间’ means “time” in ‘一段时间后’, referring to the period during which the housemates will test the chart. It is used when discussing duration, timing, or a later point.

后 ‘后’ means “after” in ‘一段时间后’, placing the review after the trial period. It commonly follows a time expression to show when a later action happens.

再 ‘再’ means “then” or “again later” in ‘再一起看看’, showing that the review will happen after the trial. It commonly marks a subsequent action rather than the action happening immediately.

一起 ‘一起’ means “together” in ‘一起看看’, showing that both housemates will review the chart jointly. It commonly comes before an action carried out by two or more people together.

看看 ‘看看’ means “take a look” or “review” in ‘一起看看’. The repeated ‘看’ presents the action as a brief or light review, which suits checking the chart after trying it. It is useful when inviting someone to inspect something without making the action sound heavy.

太 ‘太’ means “too” or “overly” in ‘太严格了’, showing that the level of strictness may be excessive. It commonly comes before an adjective when judging something as beyond a suitable degree.

严格 ‘严格’ means strict in ‘太严格了’, describing a rule or system that demands too much compliance. It is useful when evaluating whether an arrangement leaves enough flexibility.

了 In ‘太严格了’, ‘了’ marks a change of state or a newly recognized condition: the arrangement is now being judged as too strict. It commonly appears at the end of a statement when the situation or assessment has changed.

调整 ‘调整’ means adjust in ‘我们可以调整它’, referring to changing the chart so it works better. It is useful for plans, schedules, or systems that need moderate changes rather than complete replacement.

而不是 ‘而不是’ means “rather than” or “instead of” in ‘调整它，而不是争吵’. ‘而’ connects the alternatives, ‘不’ makes the rejected option negative, and ‘是’ supplies the identifying frame; together they contrast the chosen action with the one to avoid. It is useful when directing a choice toward one action instead of another.

争吵 ‘争吵’ means argue or quarrel in ‘而不是争吵’, referring to a heated verbal disagreement. It is useful when contrasting constructive problem-solving with conflict.

目标 ‘目标’ means “goal” in ‘目标是让家里更干净’, introducing the result the housemates want to achieve. It commonly comes before ‘是’ when stating the purpose of a plan or action.

让 ‘让’ means “make” or “let” in ‘让家里更干净’, showing that the goal is to cause the home to become cleaner. It commonly introduces an object followed by the result or action that person or thing is allowed or caused to have.

家里 ‘家里’ means “at home” or “in the home” in ‘让家里更干净’, identifying the inside of the shared home as the place affected. It is useful when describing conditions or activities within a household.

干净 ‘干净’ means clean in ‘让家里更干净’, describing the desired condition of the home. With ‘更’, it expresses an improvement toward a cleaner state.

制定 ‘制定’ means formulate or establish in ‘制定一个完美的制度’, referring to creating a formal plan or system. It is useful for rules, schedules, standards, or procedures that people agree to follow.

完美 ‘完美’ means perfect in ‘一个完美的制度’, describing something without flaws or shortcomings. Here it is used to contrast an ideal system with the more practical goal of a cleaner home.

制度 ‘制度’ means system or set of rules in ‘一个完美的制度’, referring to the formal cleaning system the housemates do not need to make perfect. It is useful when discussing organized rules or procedures that guide repeated behavior.

Grammar Points

而不是 + 名词/短语

每周轮换任务，而不是同一个人总是拖地。

Měi zhōu lúnhuàn rènwu, ér bú shì tóng yí ge rén zǒng shì tuō dì.

Rotate the tasks weekly instead of having the same person always mop the floor.

而不是 introduces the alternative that should be avoided, meaning “instead of” or “rather than.”

尤其是 + 名词

厨房总是变得很乱，尤其是餐具和炉子。

Chúfáng zǒng shì biàn de hěn luàn, yóuqí shì cānjù hé lúzi.

The kitchen always becomes very messy, especially the dishes and the stove.

尤其是 singles out one or more items for special emphasis, meaning “especially.”

Chinese Vocabulary

变得很乱 phrase

biàn de hěn luàn become very messy

标准 noun

biāozhǔn standard

不起作用 phrase

bù qǐ zuòyòng not work; be ineffective

餐具 noun

cānjù dishes; tableware

厨房 noun

chúfáng kitchen

更明确 adj

gèng míngquè clearer; more explicit

故意 adv

gùyì on purpose; deliberately

炉子 noun

lúzi stove

清洁安排 phrase

qīngjié ānpái cleaning routine

任何一个人 pron

rènhé yí ge rén either person; anyone

尤其 adv

yóuqí especially

总是 adv

zǒngshì always

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

either person; anyone

Show Answer

任何一个人

not work; be ineffective

Show Answer

不起作用

cleaning routine

Show Answer

清洁安排

become very messy

Show Answer

变得很乱