Translation guide
Describes a person who stays at home, especially a parent who cares for children instead of working outside, or a lifestyle/hobby centered on the home.
A parent who does not work outside the home and cares for children full-time.
Literally 'full-time housewife'. The most common term for a married woman who stays at home to manage the household and raise children. Implies the husband is the breadwinner.
彼女は専業主婦です。
She is a stay-at-home mom.
Literally 'full-time househusband'. Used for a married man who stays at home while his wife works. Less common but gaining recognition.
最近、専業主夫が増えている。
Recently, stay-at-home dads have been increasing.
A neutral, descriptive phrase meaning 'parent who is at home'. Can be used for either mother or father without specifying marital status or gender roles.
うちは私が家にいる親です。
In our family, I'm the stay-at-home parent.
Simply 'housewife'. Can imply stay-at-home status but also used for women who work part-time. Context dependent.
彼女は主婦で、家事と育児をしている。
She is a housewife, doing housework and childcare.
Describes a person who prefers staying at home rather than going out, or an activity done at home.
Literally 'indoor type'. Commonly used to describe someone who prefers indoor activities and staying at home. Opposite of アウトドア派.
私はインドア派で、休日は家で過ごすことが多い。
I'm a stay-at-home type and often spend my days off at home.
A natural phrase meaning 'likes spending time at home'. Can be used to describe a stay-at-home preference without labeling oneself.
彼は家で過ごすのが好きな人だ。
He's a stay-at-home kind of person.
Refers to someone who rarely leaves their home, often associated with social isolation. Can be used lightly among friends but may sound extreme.
An official instruction for people to remain in their homes, e.g., during a pandemic.
Standard term for a government request to refrain from going out. Used during COVID-19. Note: it's a request, not a legal order.
政府は外出自粛要請を出した。
The government issued a stay-at-home request.
Loanword from English 'stay home'. Widely used in media and campaigns during the pandemic. Casual and catchy.
ステイホーム週間が始まった。
Stay-at-home week has begun.
Means 'standing by at home'. Used for being on standby at home (e.g., waiting for work instructions) or during emergencies.
The direct translation '家にいる' simply means 'be at home' and does not convey the specific roles of a stay-at-home parent or a homebody. Use the terms above depending on context.
専業主婦 is the standard term for a stay-at-home wife/mother. 専業主夫 is the male equivalent but is less common and may carry a nuance of being a deliberate choice or a modern arrangement.
To say you're a stay-at-home person in a positive, casual way, use インドア派 or say 家で過ごすのが好きです (I like spending time at home). Avoid 引きこもり unless you're joking or self-deprecating.
Often carries a negative connotation of social withdrawal or hikikomori. Use carefully; not a neutral term for a homebody.
週末は完全に引きこもりだった。
I was a total stay-at-home this weekend. (self-deprecating)
社員は自宅待機を命じられた。
Employees were ordered to stay at home on standby.