My First Month in the Kita: Learning German Through Cleaning – And the Weirdness of Passive Voices

Okay, so, let me tell you, moving to Munich for a job as an au pair has been… intense. It’s amazing, the people are lovely, the beer is incredible (seriously, don’t knock it till you try it), but the language barrier has been a monster. I’m really trying to push myself, and honestly, I’ve found the weirdest, most wonderful learning method – cleaning the Kita (daycare center) I work at. It’s bizarre, I know, but it’s completely practical, and it’s forcing me to listen and really understand what people are saying.

The Initial Confusion: “Es wird…”

The first few days were pure chaos. I kept asking questions that just weren’t quite right. Frau Schmidt, the head of the Kita, is a wonderfully patient woman, but she kept correcting me. The biggest issue was this… es wird construction. It’s used in the passive voice, and it just doesn’t translate directly into English. It felt so roundabout!

I’d be standing there, trying to figure out why the bathroom floor hadn’t been mopped, and I’d ask, “Wer hat das getan?” (Who did that?) and Frau Schmidt would sigh and say, “Es wird geputzt.” (It is cleaned.) It felt like she was deliberately being cryptic. I even tried saying “Wer macht das?” (Who is doing that?) but she just smiled and repeated, “Es wird geputzt.”

Then I realised, it’s not about who is doing it, it’s about what’s happening. It’s the German way of describing the action, without focusing on the actor. A local mum, Sarah, explained it to me over coffee. “Think of it like this,” she said, “we often don’t need to know who’s doing the cleaning. What matters is that it is done.”

Practical Phrases – Cleaning Time!

Now, I’m starting to get it. And, let’s be honest, I’m learning a lot of useful cleaning vocabulary! Here are some phrases I’ve picked up, alongside my very awkward attempts to use them initially:

• “Bitte, es wird gereinigt.” (Please, it is cleaned.) – This is the most common response to my questions about the state of things.
• “Wo wird das Geschirr gewaschen?” (Where is the dishes being washed?) – This was a huge relief when I finally understood. I’d been frantically searching for the washing-up area!
• “Die Böden werden gestärkt.” (The floors are being swept.) – I heard Frau Schmidt saying this as she was sweeping the playroom. It made so much more sense than if she’d just said “Ich streue” (I sweep).
• “Die Spielsachen werden aufgeräumt.” (The toys are being tidied up.) – This is frequently used about the children’s area.

A Misunderstanding (and a Correction!)

Last week, I was completely bewildered. I saw a small pile of crayons on the floor and asked, “Wer hat die Stifte liegen gelassen?” (Who left the crayons lying around?) Frau Schmidt looked at me, genuinely confused, and said, “Es wird aufgeräumt.” (It is tidied up.)

It took me a moment to realize that someone had left the crayons there, but the focus was on the action of tidying them up, not the individual responsible. It was a small victory, but a vital one! I immediately corrected myself. “Es wird aufgeräumt!” I said, feeling a tiny bit triumphant.

The Passive Voice in Action – A Real Scenario

The real test came when a new parent, Mr. Müller, complained about a spill. He said to Frau Schmidt, “Die Milch ist auf dem Boden!” (The milk is on the floor!) Frau Schmidt calmly responded, “Es wird sofort gereinigt.” (It is cleaned immediately.)

I realized that this wasn’t about assigning blame; it was about acknowledging the problem and stating the solution. It’s far more efficient and, honestly, a little less confrontational than dwelling on who was responsible.

My Progress (And My Goal)

I’m still far from fluent, and I still trip over the passive voice. But I’m starting to get the hang of it. My goal now is to actively listen for “es wird” phrases, to understand the context, and to use them myself. I even managed to ask Frau Schmidt, “Wie wird das Spielzimmer gereinigt?” (How is the playroom cleaned?) and she explained the entire process – sweeping, wiping down surfaces, and organising the toys – with a detailed explanation.

It’s a slow process, but learning German through cleaning – with all its awkward passive voices – is undeniably the most effective, and surprisingly rewarding, method I’ve found so far. Next week, I’m aiming to actually understand the complete cleaning schedule. Wish me luck!

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