Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== jiātíngzhǔfù: 家庭主妇 - Housewife, Homemaker ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 家庭主妇, jiātíngzhǔfù, Chinese for housewife, stay at home mom in Chinese, homemaker in Chinese, meaning of 家庭主妇, full-time wife, Chinese family roles, nán zhǔ wài nǚ zhǔ nèi. * **Summary:** The Chinese term 家庭主妇 (jiātíngzhǔfù) is the traditional word for "housewife" or "homemaker." It refers to a married woman whose primary role is managing the household and caring for the family. While a common term, its modern connotation is complex, reflecting ongoing discussions in China about women's roles, career independence, and family values. This page explores its meaning, cultural background, and practical use in conversation. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiātíngzhǔfù * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** A married woman whose main occupation is caring for her family, managing household affairs, and doing housework. * **In a Nutshell:** 家庭主妇 (jiātíngzhǔfù) literally translates to "family's main woman." It's the classic, go-to term for a housewife. The word paints a picture of someone who is the master of the domestic sphere, responsible for everything from cooking and cleaning to managing the family's daily life, allowing her husband to focus on work outside the home. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **家 (jiā):** Home, family. The character is a pictograph showing a roof (宀) over a pig (豕). In ancient China, a pig was a sign of wealth and sustenance, so a pig in the home symbolized a complete and prosperous family unit. * **庭 (tíng):** Courtyard, hall. This character refers to the central, open space in a traditional Chinese house. Combined with 家, 家庭 (jiātíng) means "family" or "household" in a broader sense. * **主 (zhǔ):** Master, main, host. Originally a pictograph of an oil lamp, representing the central source of light and, by extension, authority or the most important person. * **妇 (fù):** Married woman, wife. This character is composed of 女 (nǚ - woman) and a symbol representing a broom (帚), depicting a woman's traditional role in sweeping and cleaning the home. Together, **家庭 (jiātíng)** means "household," and **主妇 (zhǔfù)** means "mistress of the house." So, **家庭主妇 (jiātíngzhǔfù)** is the "master of the household," clearly defining her domain as the home. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The concept of the 家庭主妇 is deeply rooted in the traditional Chinese social structure, best summarized by the idiom **男主外，女主内 (nán zhǔ wài, nǚ zhǔ nèi)**, meaning "the man manages external affairs, and the woman manages internal (household) affairs." This ideal created a clear, complementary division of labor within the family, where a woman's success was measured by her ability to be a **贤妻良母 (xián qī liáng mǔ)** - a "virtuous wife and good mother." While the Western concept of a "housewife" shares the same basic duties, its cultural trajectory is different. In the West, the "housewife" ideal of the 1950s was later challenged by second-wave feminism, leading to a strong emphasis on women's careers and financial independence. In China, after decades where women were encouraged to join the workforce under Maoist ideology ("women hold up half the sky"), the re-emergence of the 家庭主妇 as a lifestyle choice is a more recent phenomenon tied to the nation's economic boom. For some, it symbolizes newfound wealth and a return to traditional values, while for others, it raises concerns about gender equality and a woman's loss of personal identity. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== In modern China, the term 家庭主妇 is widely understood but carries mixed connotations. * **Neutral/Descriptive:** In its most basic sense, it's a neutral descriptor of a woman's occupation, just like "teacher" or "doctor." People use it to simply state a fact. * **Slightly Negative/Old-Fashioned:** For some, especially younger, career-oriented women, the term can sound dated. It may imply a lack of ambition or financial dependence. In dramas and social media discussions, it can sometimes be used with a tone of pity or to describe a character who has "given up" on her own dreams. * **Slightly Positive/Aspirational:** For others, being a 家庭主妇 in a wealthy family is a sign of success. It means the husband is successful enough to support the entire family, allowing the wife to live a life of relative leisure focused on family and personal hobbies. A more modern and often preferred term is **全职妈妈 (quánzhí māmā)**, or "full-time mom." This term frames the role as a "full-time job," emphasizing the labor and importance of raising children, which many find more empowering. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 她辞掉了工作，当了一名**家庭主妇**。 * Pinyin: Tā cí diàole gōngzuò, dāngle yī míng **jiātíngzhǔfù**. * English: She quit her job and became a housewife. * Analysis: A simple, neutral statement describing a life choice. "当 (dāng)" means "to be" or "to work as." * **Example 2:** * 我妈妈是一名**家庭主妇**，她把家里打理得井井有条。 * Pinyin: Wǒ māmā shì yī míng **jiātíngzhǔfù**, tā bǎ jiālǐ dǎlǐ dé jǐngjǐngyǒutiáo. * English: My mom is a homemaker; she keeps the house perfectly in order. * Analysis: This example has a positive and appreciative connotation, praising the skill involved in the role. * **Example 3:** * 你觉得当**家庭主妇**好还是当职业女性好？ * Pinyin: Nǐ juédé dāng **jiātíngzhǔfù** hǎo háishì dāng zhíyè nǚxìng hǎo? * English: Do you think it's better to be a housewife or a career woman? * Analysis: A common question used in discussions about women's life choices, contrasting the two roles. * **Example 4:** * 虽然她是**家庭主妇**，但她每天都很忙，一点也不轻松。 * Pinyin: Suīrán tā shì **jiātíngzhǔfù**, dàn tā měitiān dōu hěn máng, yīdiǎn yě bù qīngsōng. * English: Although she's a housewife, she is very busy every day; it's not at all relaxing. * Analysis: This sentence counters the misconception that being a housewife is easy. * **Example 5:** * 很多女性担心，做了**家庭主妇**以后会与社会脱节。 * Pinyin: Hěn duō nǚxìng dānxīn, zuòle **jiātíngzhǔfù** yǐhòu huì yǔ shèhuì tuōjié. * English: Many women worry that after becoming a housewife, they will become disconnected from society. * Analysis: This highlights a common anxiety associated with the role. * **Example 6:** * 他很成功，所以他太太可以安心地做个**家庭主妇**。 * Pinyin: Tā hěn chénggōng, suǒyǐ tā tàitài kěyǐ ānxīn de zuò ge **jiātíngzhǔfù**. * English: He is very successful, so his wife can be a housewife without any worries. * Analysis: This shows the aspirational side, where being a housewife is a result of the husband's financial success. * **Example 7:** * 做**家庭主妇**并不意味着放弃自我，她利用空闲时间学习画画。 * Pinyin: Zuò **jiātíngzhǔfù** bìng bù yìwèizhe fàngqì zìwǒ, tā lìyòng kòngxián shíjiān xuéxí huà huà. * English: Being a housewife doesn't mean giving up on yourself; she uses her free time to learn painting. * Analysis: This sentence pushes back against the negative stereotypes of the role. * **Example 8:** * 那个电视剧里的**家庭主妇**最后发现了丈夫的秘密。 * Pinyin: Nàge diànshìjù lǐ de **jiātíngzhǔfù** zuìhòu fāxiànle zhàngfū de mìmì. * English: The housewife in that TV drama finally discovered her husband's secret. * Analysis: Demonstrates the term's use as a common character archetype in popular media. * **Example 9:** * 我不适合做**家庭主妇**，我更喜欢在外面工作。 * Pinyin: Wǒ bù shìhé zuò **jiātíngzhǔfù**, wǒ gèng xǐhuān zài wàimiàn gōngzuò. * English: I'm not suited to be a housewife; I prefer working outside the home. * Analysis: A clear statement of personal preference, showing how an individual might define their own identity against this role. * **Example 10:** * 作为一名**家庭主妇**，她的主要工作就是照顾孩子和做家务。 * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng **jiātíngzhǔfù**, tā de zhǔyào gōngzuò jiùshì zhàogù háizi hé zuò jiāwù. * English: As a housewife, her main jobs are taking care of the children and doing housework. * Analysis: A textbook definition sentence, clearly outlining the primary responsibilities. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Not just "Stay-at-Home Mom":** While a 家庭主妇 is often a mother, the term itself focuses on her role as the manager of the home for the family unit (including the husband). The term [[全职妈妈]] (quánzhí māmā) - "full-time mom" - is more specific to child-rearing and is often preferred by modern women as it sounds more like a profession. A woman with no children can be a 家庭主妇, but not a 全职妈妈. * **Not for Men:** This term is exclusively for women. Applying it to a man is a common mistake for learners. * **Incorrect:** 他是**家庭主妇**。 (Tā shì jiātíngzhǔfù.) * **Correct:** 他是**家庭主夫**。(Tā shì **jiātíng zhǔfū**.) * **Analysis:** The character for "woman/wife" (妇 fù) is replaced with the character for "man/husband" (夫 fū) to create the male equivalent, "househusband." * **Connotation is Key:** Simply translating 家庭主妇 as "housewife" misses the complex modern debate in China. Be aware that when you use or hear this term, it can carry undertones of tradition, wealth, dependence, or sacrifice, depending entirely on the context and the speaker's perspective. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[全职妈妈]] (quánzhí māmā) - "Full-time mom." A more modern term that emphasizes child-rearing as a job. * [[家庭主夫]] (jiātíng zhǔfū) - "Househusband" or "stay-at-home dad." The direct male equivalent. * [[职业女性]] (zhíyè nǚxìng) - "Career woman." Often presented as the social opposite of a 家庭主妇. * [[男主外，女主内]] (nán zhǔ wài, nǚ zhǔ nèi) - The traditional philosophy: "men manage the outside (work), women manage the inside (home)." * [[贤妻良母]] (xián qī liáng mǔ) - "Virtuous wife, good mother." The traditional ideal that a 家庭主妇 strives to embody. * [[做家务]] (zuò jiāwù) - To do housework. A core activity of a 家庭主妇. * [[带孩子]] (dài háizi) - To look after/raise children. Another primary responsibility. * [[全职]] (quánzhí) - Full-time. Used in terms like 全职妈妈 (full-time mom) and 全职太太 (full-time wife). * [[女强人]] (nǚ qiángrén) - "Strongwoman" or "superwoman." A term for a highly successful and powerful career woman, often seen as the extreme opposite of a traditional 家庭主妇.