faccende domestiche
The English phrase housework is translated into Italian as faccende domestiche.
faccende domestiche refers to domestic household chores. To express the action of performing these chores, the standard verb used is fare le faccende domestiche (to do the housework). Common specific tasks include Stirare (to iron), Lavare i piatti (to wash the dishes), Passare l'aspirapolvere (to vacuum) and Spolverare (to dust).
Meaning: domestic household chores (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word faccende refers to tasks, errands or matters that need to be attended to.
Which one should you use?
While lavori domestici can be used to refer to housework, faccende domestiche is the more common and natural way to refer to routine household chores.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, especially Naples, faccende 'e casa is a regional variation of faccende domestiche.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, the phrase is almost always used with the definite article le when referring to the concept of housework in general.
Did you know?
- The singular form una faccenda can also be used in a legal or serious context to mean 'a matter of great importance', which is quite a leap from simple cleaning.
- If someone says they are in mezzo alle faccende, they are literally 'in the middle of the chores', a common idiom used to politely decline a phone call or a visit.
- While faccende means 'chores' today, the word is derived from faccenda, which originally meant a 'business' or 'affair' that one had to handle.
Examples in context
- Penso che sia importante dividere le faccende domestiche.I think it's important to split the housework.Tatoeba #7912612 by Guybrush88, translation #7912489 by adiante19
- Susan odia fare le faccende domestiche, ma questa mattina sta aiutando sua madre in cucina.Susan hates doing housework, but this morning she's helping her mother in the kitchen.Tatoeba #2584956 by Guybrush88, translation #2584962 by AlanF_US
- Dopo aver terminato tutte le faccende domestiche, si sedette sul divano per guardare la televisione.Having finished all her housework, she sat down on the sofa to watch television.Tatoeba #13122906 by Guybrush88, translation #24102 by CK
- Mia madre mi ha insegnato a svolgere i lavori domestici sin da quando ero bambino.My mother taught me to do housework since I was a child.
- Oggi ho molte faccende domestiche da fare, ma mi prenderò una pausa per un caffè.Today I have many house chores to do, but I'll take a break for a coffee.
- Mio padre divide i lavori di casa con mia madre per assicurarsi che siano equamente distribuiti.My father shares the housework with my mother to ensure they are evenly distributed.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their weekend chores at home.
- SofiaFrancesco, devi aiutarmi con le faccende domestiche oggi.Francesco, you have to help me with the housework today.
- FrancescoPosso farlo nel pomeriggio, promesso.I can do it in the afternoon, I promise.
- SofiaVa bene, ma finiscile presto!Fine, but finish them soon!
- FrancescoNon preoccuparti, Sofia, sarò veloce.Don't worry, Sofia, I will be quick.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
