主婦

• Reading: しゅふ
• Romaji: shufu
• Kanji breakdown: 主 (shu) — master, main; 婦 (fu) — woman, wife
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯ.ɸɯ/

Meaning

Housewife; homemaker. A woman who manages the household.

A noun referring to a woman whose primary role is managing the home and family. In modern Japan, the term 専業主婦 (full-time housewife) is distinguished from 兼業主婦 (working housewife). The gender-neutral equivalent 主夫 (house-husband) uses the same reading but a different kanji for 夫.

Examples

1. 母は長年専業主婦をしていた。 My mother was a full-time homemaker for many years.
2. 主婦の仕事はとても大変だと思う。 I think the work of a homemaker is really tough.
3. 最近はパートで働く主婦が増えている。 More and more homemakers are working part-time these days.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, family, society

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 主 (master, main) and 婦 (woman, wife). The combination denotes the woman who is the primary manager of the household.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal