Historically, 家务 (jiāwù) was deeply tied to traditional gender roles in China, often considered the exclusive domain of the woman of the house (家庭主妇, jiātíng zhǔfù). A well-kept home was a reflection of her diligence and virtue, directly impacting the family's social standing or “face” (面子, miànzi). This can be contrasted with the modern American/Western ideal of “sharing chores,” which, while also evolving, arguably began from a more individualistic standpoint. In the Chinese context, performing 家务 was traditionally seen less as a personal contribution and more as fulfilling a fundamental, pre-defined role for the harmony of the collective family unit. In modern urban China, these roles are rapidly changing. With more women participating in the workforce, the concept of 分担家务 (fēndān jiāwù)—sharing the housework—is now a common topic of discussion and a key aspect of modern relationships. However, traditional expectations can still linger, especially in more rural areas or among older generations, making the division of 家务 a frequent point of negotiation in contemporary Chinese families.
家务 (jiāwù) is almost exclusively used as a noun. The most important phrase to learn is 做家务 (zuò jiāwù), which means “to do housework.”