Spanish
Grade 9
15 min
Los Quehaceres (Chores): Household Tasks
Learn vocabulary for common household chores (e.g., lavar los platos, sacar la basura) and discuss responsibilities at home.
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify and use at least 20 vocabulary words for common household chores.
Conjugate key chore-related verbs (limpiar, barrer, sacar, etc.) in the present indicative tense.
Construct sentences using expressions of obligation like 'tener que + infinitivo' and 'deber + infinitivo' to describe responsibilities.
Form both affirmative and negative informal commands (tú commands) to ask others to do chores.
Use the present subjunctive with verbs of influence (e.g., 'querer que', 'necesitar que') to express desires or requests about chores.
Ask and answer questions about who does which chores in a household, using complex sentences.
Who does the dishes at your house? 🧼 Let's learn how to talk about—and maybe even neg...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Los QuehaceresThe general term for chores or household tasks. It's a plural noun.Tengo muchos quehaceres este fin de semana.
Limpiar el polvoTo dust. 'Polvo' means dust.Mi hermano tiene que limpiar el polvo de los muebles.
Pasar la aspiradoraTo vacuum. Literally, 'to pass the vacuum cleaner'.Por favor, pasa la aspiradora en la sala.
Poner la mesa / Quitar la mesaTo set the table / To clear the table. These are two opposite, essential dining-related chores.Yo pongo la mesa antes de la cena y tú la quitas después.
Sacar la basuraTo take out the trash.Mi papá quiere que yo saque la basura los martes.
Hacer la camaTo make the bed. This is an irregular 'hacer' verb.Siempre hago la cama por la mañana.
Lavar los platosTo wash the dishes. C...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
Expressing Obligation: Tener que + Infinitivo
Subject + tener (conjugated) + que + infinitive verb
Use this structure to state that someone *has to* do something. It expresses a strong necessity or obligation. The verb 'tener' changes to match the subject, but the chore verb remains in its infinitive (-ar, -er, -ir) form.
Present Subjunctive with Verbs of Influence
Subject 1 + Verb of Influence (conjugated) + que + Subject 2 + Chore Verb (subjunctive)
When one person wants, needs, insists, or prefers that a *different* person do a chore, the chore verb must be in the present subjunctive. Common verbs of influence include querer, necesitar, preferir, and insistir en.
Informal (Tú) Commands
Affirmative: Use the él/ella/usted form of the present indicative. Nega...
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Challenging
Which sentence correctly combines a verb of influence, a change of subject, and the subjunctive mood to express a request about a chore?
A.Yo quiero que yo limpio el baño.
B.Mi madre quiere que mi hermano limpie el baño.
C.Mi madre quiere limpiar el baño.
D.Mi madre quiere que mi hermano limpia el baño.
Challenging
Only one of the following sentences about chores is grammatically correct. Which one is it?
A.¡No pone la mesa todavía!
B.Yo tengo de lavar los platos.
C.Mi profesor insiste en que nosotros hagamos la tarea.
D.Mi hermana quiere que yo saco la basura.
Challenging
A mother asks her son, '¿Por qué no has lavado los platos?' He replies, 'Porque mi hermana tiene que hacerlo.' The mother doesn't accept this and says, 'No me importa. Necesito que tú los...' How should she finish her sentence?
A.lavas ahora.
B.lavas ahora mismo.
C.lavar inmediatamente.
D.laves inmediatamente.
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