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.
彼女は主婦です。
She is a housewife.
主婦の仕事は大変だ。
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.
母は専業主婦です。
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.
調査対象は家事専念主婦です。
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.
隣の奥さんは料理が上手だ。
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.
主婦さんたちが集まっておしゃべりしている。
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.
彼女はパート主婦としてスーパーで働いている。
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.
兼業主婦の割合が増えている。
The proportion of housewives with jobs is increasing.
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.
ネットで暇主婦が噂話をしている。
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.
彼の妻は鬼嫁だと言われている。
His wife is said to be a demon housewife.
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.
私は主婦ですが、週に数時間パートをしています。
I'm a housewife, but I work part-time a few hours a week.
彼女は専業主婦で、外で働いていません。
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.
✕ 彼女は家の妻です。
She is a housewife. (unnatural)
◯ 彼女は主婦です。
She is a housewife.
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.
職業は主婦です。
My occupation is housewife.
彼女は3人の子供を持つ幸せな主婦です。
She is a happy housewife with three children.
日本の主婦の多くはパートをしています。
Many housewives in Japan do part-time work.