German · Real conversations

Sharing a home: German conversation practice

Share chores, supplies, and a household cost. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.

A2 · Read and rehearse

Your role: A housemate planning the week.

Goal: Share chores, supplies, and a household cost.

Read the conversation

Partner
Wir müssen die Hausarbeit für heute Abend aufteilen.
Show English translation
We need to sort out tonight's chores.
You
Wer ist mit dem Abwasch dran?
Show English translation
Whose turn is it to wash the dishes?
Partner
Ich bin dran. Auf dem Tisch stehen saubere Teller.
Show English translation
It's my turn. There are clean plates on the table.
You
Könntest du die Teller wegräumen?
Show English translation
Could you put the plates away?
Partner
Ja, nach dem Abwasch. Was brauchen wir noch?
Show English translation
Yes, after washing up. What else do we need?
You
Uns geht die Milch aus.
Show English translation
We're running out of milk.
Partner
Ich schreibe Milch auf die Liste. Jemand muss auch Spülmittel kaufen.
Show English translation
I'll add milk to the list. Someone also needs to buy washing-up liquid.
You
Ich kümmere mich darum.
Show English translation
I'll take care of it.
Partner
Danke. Der Einkauf wird uns beide etwas kosten.
Show English translation
Thanks. The shopping will cost us both a bit.
You
Können wir uns die Kosten teilen?
Show English translation
Can we share the cost?

Try your part first

Partner says: We need to sort out tonight's chores. Your goal: Whose turn is it to wash the dishes?
Reveal a sample reply
Wer ist mit dem Abwasch dran?
Whose turn is it to wash the dishes?
Partner says: It's my turn. There are clean plates on the table. Your goal: Could you put the plates away?
Reveal a sample reply
Könntest du die Teller wegräumen?
Could you put the plates away?
Partner says: Yes, after washing up. What else do we need? Your goal: We're running out of milk.
Reveal a sample reply
Uns geht die Milch aus.
We're running out of milk.
Partner says: I'll add milk to the list. Someone also needs to buy washing-up liquid. Your goal: I'll take care of it.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich kümmere mich darum.
I'll take care of it.
Partner says: Thanks. The shopping will cost us both a bit. Your goal: Can we share the cost?
Reveal a sample reply
Können wir uns die Kosten teilen?
Can we share the cost?

Make it your own

Swap the chore.
Replace a different household supply.
Agree to split another cost.

Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.

This rehearsal in other languages

A note on speaking German

Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.

The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.