Essential English Vocabulary: Daily Activities
Learn 50 essential vocabulary words related to daily activities with examples and pronunciation tips.
Essential English Vocabulary: Daily Activities
Learning vocabulary for daily activities is crucial for basic English communication. These words will help you describe your routine and understand others.
Morning Activities
Getting Up
- wake up - to stop sleeping
- get up - to rise from bed
- stretch - to extend your body
- yawn - to open your mouth when tired
Example: I wake up at 7 AM and immediately get up to start my day.
Personal Hygiene
- brush teeth - clean your teeth
- wash face - clean your face with water
- take a shower - wash your whole body
- comb hair - arrange your hair
- shave - remove facial hair
- put on makeup - apply cosmetics
Example: After I take a shower, I brush my teeth and comb my hair.
Getting Dressed
- get dressed - put on clothes
- put on - wear something
- take off - remove clothes
- iron - make clothes smooth
- choose - select what to wear
Example: I choose my clothes and get dressed quickly.
Eating and Drinking
Meals
- have breakfast - eat the first meal
- have lunch - eat the midday meal
- have dinner - eat the evening meal
- have a snack - eat something small
Cooking
- cook - prepare food
- bake - cook in an oven
- fry - cook in oil
- boil - cook in hot water
- chop - cut into pieces
- mix - combine ingredients
Example: I cook dinner every night. Tonight I will fry some vegetables and boil rice.
Work and Study Activities
At Work/School
- go to work - travel to your job
- go to school - attend classes
- attend a meeting - participate in a meeting
- give a presentation - speak to a group
- take notes - write important information
- do homework - complete school assignments
Using Technology
- check email - look at electronic messages
- browse the internet - look at websites
- send a message - communicate electronically
- make a phone call - call someone
- use social media - interact on platforms
Example: At work, I attend meetings and check email regularly.
Evening Activities
Relaxing
- watch TV - look at television
- listen to music - hear songs
- read a book - look at written text
- take a walk - go for a stroll
- chat with friends - talk casually
Exercise
- go to the gym - exercise at a fitness center
- go jogging - run slowly
- do yoga - practice stretching exercises
- play sports - participate in games
- ride a bike - use a bicycle
Example: In the evening, I take a walk or watch TV to relax.
Household Activities
Cleaning
- clean the house - make the home tidy
- do the dishes - wash plates and cups
- vacuum - clean the floor with a machine
- dust - remove dust from surfaces
- organize - put things in order
Laundry
- do the laundry - wash clothes
- hang clothes - put wet clothes to dry
- fold clothes - arrange clean clothes
- iron clothes - make clothes smooth
Example: On weekends, I clean the house and do the laundry.
Transportation
- drive a car - operate a vehicle
- take the bus - use public transport
- ride the subway - use underground transport
- walk - go on foot
- cycle - ride a bicycle
- call a taxi - request a cab
Example: I usually take the bus to work, but sometimes I walk.
Time Expressions with Daily Activities
Learn to use these time expressions:
Frequency
- always (100%) - I always brush my teeth.
- usually (80%) - I usually have coffee for breakfast.
- often (60%) - I often check my phone.
- sometimes (40%) - I sometimes work late.
- rarely (20%) - I rarely watch TV.
- never (0%) - I never skip breakfast.
Time of Day
- in the morning - I exercise in the morning.
- in the afternoon - I have lunch in the afternoon.
- in the evening - I relax in the evening.
- at night - I read at night.
💡 Pronunciation Tip: Practice saying these phrases out loud. Pay attention to the stressed syllables!
Practice Activities
Exercise 1: Match the activity with the time
- brush teeth → morning / evening / both
- have lunch → morning / afternoon / evening
- go to bed → morning / afternoon / evening
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences
- I _ up at 7 AM every day. (wake/get)
- She _ to work by bus. (goes/takes)
- We _ dinner at 6 PM. (have/take)
Exercise 3: Describe your routine
Write 5 sentences about your daily routine using the vocabulary from this lesson.
Common Phrases
Here are some useful phrases for talking about daily activities:
- “What do you usually do in the morning?” - “I always start my day with…” - “After work, I like to…” - “On weekends, I usually…” - “Before bed, I always…”
Cultural Note
🌍 Cultural Tip: Daily routines can vary greatly between cultures. In some countries, people have a long lunch break and eat dinner very late. In others, people start work very early and finish in the afternoon.
Next Steps
Practice using these vocabulary words in sentences. Try to describe your own daily routine to a friend or language partner!
Related Topics: