Sometimes after a long and busy day, you just can’t be bothered to do any cooking or clean your room. In China, it’s very popular among foreigners to hire an “阿姨ā yí”(which means cleaner) to help with their housework. Firstly, it’s not very expensive if you would like to ask a cleaner to come clean your apartment two or three times a week. Second, it really gives you some time to relax or do things that you’re interested in after work. However, communication is key. Since most cleaners in China can’t speak or understand English properly, it’d be better to learn some basic phrases which will come in handy when you ask your cleaner to do something.

Scheduling an appointment

A yi, could you come every Monday, Wednesday and Friday?
阿姨，你可以每周一三五来吗？
ā yí , nǐ kě yǐ měi zhōu yī sān wǔ lái ma ?

A yi, I’m not home today, can you come tomorrow?
阿姨，我今天不在家，你可以明天来吗？
ā yí , wǒ jīn tiān bú zài jiā , nǐ kě yǐ míng tiān lái ma ?

Assigning cleaning duties

A yi, this is my bedroom, please clean it every time you come here.
阿姨，这是我的卧室，每次你来的时候请打扫一下。
ā yí , zhè shì wǒ de wó shì , měi cì nǐ lái de shí hóu qǐng dǎ sǎo yí xià.
*In this sentence, “卧室 wó shì” means bedroom.

A yi, please clean the bathroom floor.
阿姨，请清洗一下卫生间的地板。
ā yí , qǐng qīng xǐ yí xià wèi shēng jiān de dì bǎn.
*In this sentence, “卫生间 wèi shēng jiān” means bathroom, and “地板 dì bǎn” means floor.

A yi , the sofa in the living room is a bit dirty, please wipe it clean.
阿姨，客厅的沙发有点脏，请擦一下。
ā yí , kè tīng de shā fā yǒu diǎn zāng , qǐng cā yí xià.

A yi , please use a rag to clean the kitchen countertops.
阿姨，请用抹布擦一下厨房的台面。
ā yí , qǐng yòng mā bù cā yí xià chú fáng de tái miàn.

A yi , please wash my clothes. The washing machine is in the bathroom.
阿姨，请洗一下我的脏衣服。洗衣机在卫生间。
ā yí , qǐng xǐ yí xià wǒ de zāng yī fu . xǐ yī jī zài wèi shēng jiān.

Special tasks

A yi , please take this suit to the laundry.
阿姨，这件西装请拿去干洗。
ā yí , zhè jiàn xī zhuāng qǐng ná qù gān xǐ.

A yi , please water the flowers.
阿姨，请给花浇水。
ā yí , qǐng gěi huā jiāo shuǐ.

A yi , please feed my cat.
阿姨，请喂一下我的猫。
ā yí , qǐng wèi yí xià wǒ de māo.

A yi , have you seen my mobile phones?
阿姨，你看见我的手机了吗？
ā yí , nǐ kàn jiàn wǒ de shǒu jī le ma?