Translation guide
A person employed to do housework, such as cleaning, cooking, or other chores. In Japanese, the most common terms are 家政婦 (kaseifu) for a live-in or regular housekeeper, and お手伝いさん (otetsudai-san) for a more casual helper. The choice depends on formality and the nature of the employment.
A person hired to do general housework, often on a regular basis.
The standard term for a professional housekeeper, often live-in or full-time. Neutral and widely understood.
彼女は家政婦として働いています。
She works as a housekeeper.
A polite, slightly old-fashioned term for a domestic helper, often part-time. Implies a more personal, less formal relationship.
お手伝いさんに掃除を頼みました。
I asked the maid to clean.
Loanword from English 'maid'. Often used in contexts like maid cafes or Western-style settings, not typical for a regular domestic helper.
あのカフェはメイドが人気です。
That cafe is popular for its maids.
Someone hired specifically for cleaning tasks, often on a scheduled basis.
A female cleaner, often used for someone who cleans houses or offices. Slightly dated but still understood.
掃除婦が週に一度来ます。
A cleaning lady comes once a week.
A modern, casual way to refer to a house cleaner. Uses the loanword 'house cleaning'.
ハウスクリーニングの人にエアコンを掃除してもらった。
I had the house cleaner clean the air conditioner.
A person who lives in the employer's home and does housework, often full-time.
Specifies a live-in housekeeper. 住み込み means 'live-in'.
住み込みの家政婦を探しています。
I'm looking for a live-in housekeeper.
A formal, legalistic term for a domestic servant. Rare in everyday conversation.
家事使用人として雇われた。
I was hired as a domestic servant.
A general term for someone who helps around the house, not necessarily a professional.
Literally 'help'. Can refer to a person who helps, often in a casual or temporary context.
今日は手伝いが来てくれる。
A helper is coming today.
Loanword 'helper'. Often used for home helpers for the elderly or disabled, but can be used generally.
家政婦 (kaseifu) is a more formal, professional term, often implying a certified or full-time worker. お手伝いさん (otetsudai-san) is softer and more personal, sometimes used for part-time or casual help. In modern Japan, 家政婦 is more common in job listings.
メイド (maid) often carries connotations of maid cafes or Western-style servants in anime. Using it for a real-life housekeeper can sound odd or fetishizing. Stick to 家政婦 or お手伝いさん.
✗ メイドを雇う
intended: hire a maid (but sounds like a maid cafe worker)
ヘルパーさんに料理を作ってもらっています。
I have a helper cook for me.