French Conversation · Level 113
59 words
French word
ménage
Pronunciation
IPA/menaʒ/
Meaning
- masculine nounhousework
Example
Je dois faire le ménage.
I have to do the housework.
More examples
Nous faisons le ménage ensemble.
We do the housework together.
Core concept
Routine household care that restores order and maintains everyday domestic life.
Common phrases
faire le ménage
do the housework
le ménage de printemps
spring cleaning
Similar words
tâche ménagère: An individual task or piece of work done around the home.
corvée: A household chore or task that feels necessary and burdensome.
service ménager: A paid service that handles cleaning and other household tasks.
Definition in French
Ensemble d'opérations domestiques destinées à assurer la propreté et le bon fonctionnement d'un foyer.
Word origin
The French noun ménage descends from Old French mesnage, a word for household administration, with an ultimate connection to Latin mansio, meaning a dwelling.
Usage tips
- In administrative or statistical contexts, un ménage can mean a household, so context determines whether it refers to people or domestic work.