German word

Hausfrau

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaʊ̯sˌfʁaʊ̯/

Meaning

  • feminine nounhousewife

Example

Viele Hausfrauen kochen jeden Abend.

Many housewives cook every evening.

Illustration for Hausfrau (housewife)

More examples

Sie lebt als Hausfrau und engagiert sich im Elternbeirat.

She lives as a housewife and is involved in the parents' council.

Core concept

A household organized around one woman's daily cooking, cleaning, and family routines.

Common phrases

  • als Hausfrau

    as a housewife

  • moderne Hausfrau

    modern housewife

  • Vollzeit-Hausfrau

    full-time housewife

Similar words

Mutter: A female parent who raises children.
Erwerbstätige: A person with paid employment.
Hausmann: A man mainly responsible for household tasks and family care.
Haushälterin: A paid female domestic worker who cleans and prepares meals.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für eine Frau, die hauptsächlich den Haushalt führt und sich um die Familie kümmert.

Word origin

Hausfrau is a transparent compound of Haus, meaning home or household, and Frau, meaning woman.

Usage tips

  • Hausfrau can carry a traditional or limiting tone because it often suggests that domestic work is a woman's main occupation.

Other meanings

  • homemakernoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Hausfrauenverbandhousewives' associationnoun
  • Hausfrauenmessehousewives' fairnoun

Word lists with this word