housewife
die Hausfrau, die Hausfrauen
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housewife
A woman whose main activity is managing her own household, including cooking, cleaning, and raising children, and who does not have paid employment.
Früher war es üblich, dass die Frau als Hausfrau zu Hause blieb, während der Mann arbeiten ging.
In the past, it was common for the woman to stay at home as a housewife while the man went to work.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Hausfrauen |
| genitive | der Hausfrau |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Hausfrau | die Hausfrauen |
| accusative | die Hausfrau | die Hausfrauen |
| dative | der Hausfrau | den Hausfrauen |
| genitive | der Hausfrau | der Hausfrauen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is a clear compound of 'das Haus' (the house) and 'die Frau' (the woman). So it literally describes a woman whose primary sphere of activity is the home.
Sie entschied sich bewusst dafür, einige Jahre als Hausfrau für ihre Kinder da zu sein.
She consciously decided to be there for her children as a housewife for a few years.
The term 'Hausfrau' (housewife) describes a traditional role model that has changed significantly in recent decades. Today, the word is sometimes perceived as outdated or stereotypical.
Die Rolle der Hausfrau in der Gesellschaft wird heute oft diskutiert.
The role of the housewife in society is often discussed today.
A very common and fixed word combination is 'Hausfrau und Mutter' (housewife and mother). This phrase emphasizes the woman's dual role in the traditional family model.
In vielen Filmen aus den 50er Jahren wird das Ideal der perfekten Hausfrau und Mutter gezeigt.
In many films from the 1950s, the ideal of the perfect housewife and mother is shown.
housekeeper
A Hausfrau (housewife) generally runs her own family household and does not have paid employment. A Haushälterin (housekeeper), by contrast, usually works professionally in someone else’s household, even if she performs similar tasks. Hausfrau is the appropriate term for the unpaid family role; Haushälterin is used for paid household work.
Als Hausfrau kümmert sich Nora um den eigenen Haushalt und ihre Kinder.
As a housewife, Nora takes care of her own household and her children.
Die Haushälterin kommt jeden Morgen und kocht für die Familie.
The housekeeper comes every morning and cooks for the family.
