Translation guide
The English word "housewife" refers to a married woman whose main occupation is managing the household and caring for the family, rather than working outside the home. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 主婦 (shufu), but there are nuances depending on context, formality, and whether the woman also works part-time or is a full-time homemaker.
To refer to a married woman who primarily takes care of the home and family, without specifying employment status.
The standard, neutral word for 'housewife'. It implies a married woman who manages the household. It does not necessarily exclude part-time work, but the primary role is homemaking.
She is a housewife.
The work of a housewife is tough.
Specifically means 'full-time housewife', emphasizing that she does not have outside employment. Use this when you want to clarify she is not working for pay.
My mother is a full-time housewife.
A more formal or bureaucratic term for a housewife who devotes herself entirely to housework, often used in surveys or official contexts.
The survey targets housewives who focus solely on housework.
To refer to a housewife in a very casual, sometimes slightly old-fashioned or affectionate way.
Literally 'wife', but often used to mean 'housewife' in casual conversation, especially when referring to someone else's wife. Can be used to address a married woman directly.
Using 奥さん to refer to one's own wife is considered humble and old-fashioned; use 妻 (つま) instead.
The housewife next door is good at cooking.
A friendly, slightly informal way to address or refer to a housewife, often used in community settings or by salespeople.
The housewives are gathered and chatting.
To describe a married woman who primarily manages the household but also has a part-time job.
A common term for a housewife who works part-time (パート is short for パートタイム). It implies she still considers her main role as homemaker.
She works at a supermarket as a part-time housewife.
Literally 'concurrently working housewife', a more formal term for a housewife who also holds a job, often used in statistics or official documents.
To refer to a housewife in a derogatory, slangy, or very informal way, often implying idleness or gossip.
A derogatory slang term meaning 'idle housewife', implying she has too much free time. Often used in online contexts.
Offensive; avoid unless you intend to be insulting.
Idle housewives are gossiping online.
Internet slang for a 'demon wife', often used to describe a domineering or scary housewife. Not a direct translation of 'housewife' but used in similar contexts.
Very informal and negative; only used in specific online communities.
主婦 is the general term and can include those with part-time jobs. 専業主婦 explicitly means full-time homemaker with no outside employment. 家事専念主婦 is a formal, often statistical term for a housewife devoted solely to housework. In everyday conversation, 主婦 is usually sufficient.
I'm a housewife, but I work part-time a few hours a week.
She is a full-time housewife and doesn't work outside.
The literal translation 家の妻 (いえのつま) is not used in Japanese to mean 'housewife'. It sounds unnatural and may be interpreted as 'wife of the house' in a strange way. Always use 主婦 or related terms.
She is a housewife. (unnatural)
When introducing yourself as a housewife, you can simply say 主婦です. If you want to emphasize that you are a full-time homemaker, use 専業主婦です. In casual settings, you might say 家にいる (I'm at home) or 仕事はしていない (I don't work), but 主婦 is the most direct and common.
My occupation is housewife.
She is a happy housewife with three children.
Many housewives in Japan do part-time work.
The proportion of housewives with jobs is increasing.
彼の妻は鬼嫁だと言われている。
His wife is said to be a demon housewife.
She is a housewife.