French · Real conversations
Sharing a home: useful French phrases
Share chores, supplies, and a household cost.
Start with the essentials
Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.
Make the conversation more specific
| What you want to say | French |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | la cuisine Kitchen |
| Bathroom | la salle de bain Bathroom |
| to clean | nettoyer to clean |
| to help | aider to help |
| Whose turn is it to ...? | C'est à qui de … ? Show English translationWhose turn is it to …? |
| Could you put ... away? | Tu pourrais ranger … ? Show English translationCould you put … away? |
| We're running out of ... | On n'a presque plus de … Show English translationWe're running out of … |
| I'll take care of it. | Je m'en occupe. Show English translationI'll take care of it. |
| Can we share the cost? | On peut partager les frais ? |
Read the other side of the exchange
Partner
Il faut répartir les tâches de ce soir.
We need to sort out tonight's chores.
You
C'est à qui de faire la vaisselle ?
Whose turn is it to wash the dishes?
Partner
C'est mon tour. Il y a des assiettes propres sur la table.
It's my turn. There are clean plates on the table.
You
Tu pourrais ranger les assiettes ?
Could you put the plates away?
Sharing a home in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
