Episode study · A1
Folge 47: Haushaltsarbeit
Dishes or vacuuming? Nico picks the sink while the host rants about endless chores—and the meat!
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Episode summary
After thanks for helping around the house, Nico is offered a choice: would he rather wash up? He needs the synonym clarified—abwaschen means spülen, washing the dishes—and gladly takes that job, earning a teasing “charmant.” While they divide the rooms, a small accident draws an apology; no problem, the host will fetch the vacuum cleaner. A comic rant follows about hating housework: washing, drying, cooking, vacuuming, laundry, cleaning—then starting all over again. Nico agrees he does not like it either. The vacuum bags are gone, so a broom and dustpan appear instead. Suddenly panic cuts through the comedy: the meat! Chore verbs and household tools dominate this domestic scene for real flat-share talk. These chore verbs are worth shadowing aloud twice.
Key vocabulary
die Hausarbeit
Meaning: housework
Example: Am Samstag mache ich die ganze Hausarbeit.
abwaschen
Meaning: to wash the dishes
Example: Nach dem Essen wasche ich lieber ab.
spülen
Meaning: to rinse / do the dishes
Example: Kannst du bitte das Geschirr spülen?
das Geschirr
Meaning: dishes / crockery
Example: Das Geschirr steht noch in der Spüle.
abtrocknen
Meaning: to dry (dishes)
Example: Ich spüle, und du trocknest ab.
staubsaugen
Meaning: to vacuum
Example: Wir saugen nur einmal in der Woche.
der Staubsauger
Meaning: vacuum cleaner
Example: Wo steht der Staubsauger im Schrank?
der Besen
Meaning: broom
Example: Mit dem Besen kehre ich die Küche.
das Kehrblech
Meaning: dustpan
Example: Halt bitte das Kehrblech, ich kehre den Dreck hinein.
putzen
Meaning: to clean
Example: Am Freitag putze ich Bad und Flur.
der Beutel
Meaning: bag (e.g. vacuum bag)
Example: Für den Staubsauger brauche ich neue Beutel.
Grammar & usage focus
Infinitive chore lists and lieber for choosing tasks
When Germans complain about housework, they often stack bare infinitives like a list: abwaschen, abtrocknen, kochen, staubsaugen. To choose between tasks, use lieber: Ich möchte lieber abwaschen. Separable verbs place the prefix at the end in simple present: Ich wasche das Geschirr ab.
Examples
- Möchtest du lieber abwaschen oder staubsaugen?
- Ich hasse Hausarbeit: putzen, waschen, spülen—und dann wieder von vorn.
Comprehension check
Which chore does Nico prefer?
Show answer: Washing the dishes (abwaschen / spülen).
Why does the host get the vacuum cleaner?
Show answer: To continue cleaning after a small mishap; then it turns out there are no bags left.
What tools replace the vacuum?
Show answer: A broom and a dustpan.
What sudden problem ends the scene?
Show answer: The meat—something has gone wrong with it (“Oh nein, das Fleisch!”).
Tips for shadowing this episode
Make two columns—verbs you will do and tools you need—and fill them only from this episode. Act out abwaschen versus staubsaugen while repeating the infinitives to feel separable prefixes. Invent your own short rant of five chore infinitives ending with furchtbar!
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