Chores In Spanish: The Essential Words To Know

How do you describe chores in Spanish?

Like any other language, when talking about chores, most words we need to know will be related to the household, since that is where most chores are done.

In this post, we’ll cover the most common vocab and verbs you’ll use to describe chores in Spanish.

But first, you’re probably wondering how to actually say “chores” in Spanish?

Well, there’s a couple of ways to describe this, the most common one being quehaceres, or when talking about “a chore” (singular), we can use: el quehacer, la tarea, la faena, la tarea rutinaria.

And now, we’ll cover vocabulary related to any activities that may be considered as chores.

Household Chores In Spanish

First, let’s cover where these chores may take place.

1. Indoors

English	Spanish
Living room	Sala de estar
Dinning room	Comedor
Kitchen	Cocina
Laundry room	Lavandero, Cuarto de lavandería
Room	Habitación, Cuarto
Bathroom	Baño
Service room	Cuarto de servicio

2. Outdoors

English	Spanish
The house entrance	La entrada de la casa
The garden	El jardín
The backyard	El patio
The garage	El garaje
The roof	El techo
The pool	La piscina

3. Bedroom & Bathroom

English	Spanish
Bed	Cama
Closet	Closet, Armario
Toilet	Poceta, Inodoro, Retrete, Sanitario
Sink	Lavamanos, Lavabo
Shower	Ducha
Bathtub	Bañera

4. Kitchen and Laundry room

English	Spanish
Dishwasher, Dishwasher machine	Lavaplatos
Plates	Platos
Fridge	Nevera
Cupboard	Alacena
Oven	Horno
Cabinets	Gabinetes
Kitchen Island	Mesón, Isla
Washing machine	Lavadora
Dryer	Secadora
Iron	Plancha

And now, the most used items for household chores.

English	Spanish
Broom	Escoba
Mop	Mopa, Trapeador, Coleto
Cleaning Cloth, Rag	Trapo
Duster	Plumero
Brush	Cepillo
Detergent	Detergente
Soap	Jabón
Vacuum Cleaner, Hoover	Aspiradora
Hose	Manguera
Pruner	Podadora, Cortadora

Verbs To Describe Chores in Spanish

Below is a list of basic verbs often used when speaking about household chores.

English	Spanish	English	Spanish
To remember	Recordar	To fold	Doblar
To have	Tener	To iron	Planchar
Must	Deber	To hang	Tender
To clean	Limpiar	To pick	Recoger
To sweep	Barrer	To remove	Quitar
To mop	Trapear	To mow	Cortar
To vacuum	Aspirar	To water	Regar
To wash	Lavar	To throw	Botar
To dry off	Secar	To sort	Ordenar

Finally, how can you ask for help around the house?

These combinations can be useful when you need to ask for a helping hand.

Tener que + verb + complement

• I have to clean my room – Tengo que limpiar mi habitación.

• We have to fix the garage door – Tenemos que arreglar la puerta del garaje.

• You just have to put the dishes in the dishwasher – Solo tienes que poner los platos en el lavaplatos.

Recordar + verb +  complement

• Remember to water the plants 3 times a week – Recuerda regar las plantas 3 veces a la semana.

• Remember to take out the trash – Recuerda sacar la basura.

• Remember to vacuum the sofa too – Recuerda aspirar el sofá también.

Deber + verb + complement

• You must dust before sweeping – Debes quitar el polvo antes de barrer.

• You must cut the grass before Saturday – Debes cortar la grama antes del sábado.

• I have to fold the sheets and iron the clothes – Debo doblar las sábanas y planchar la ropa.

Finally, some more examples of asking for help with the household chores in Spanish.

• Can you help me to clean the yard? – ¿Me ayudas a limpiar el patio?

• Don’t forget to make your bed – No olvides hacer tu cama.

• Can you sweep the leaves at the entrance? – ¿Puedes barrer las hojas que están en  la entrada?

• I don’t like cleaning the dust, I’m allergic – No me gusta limpiar el polvo, soy alérgica.

• I need detergent to clean the bathroom – Necesito detergente para limpiar el baño.

• Help me to hang the clothes – Ayúdame a tender la ropa.