housewife

[/ˈhaʊswɪf/]
nounfemininepl: housewives
dona de casa
1. a married woman whose main occupation is caring for her family and managing household affairs
She decided to become a housewife after the birth of her first child.
Ela decidiu se tornar uma dona de casa após o nascimento de seu primeiro filho.
2. a woman who manages domestic and household matters
The housewife spent her morning cooking and cleaning.
A dona de casa passou sua manhã cozinhando e limpando.
The term 'housewife' reflects traditional gender roles and domestic arrangements. In Brazil, 'dona de casa' remains commonly used, though modern usage increasingly includes men in these roles. The term is considered somewhat traditional in contemporary English and Portuguese-speaking contexts, with many preferring 'homemaker' or 'domestic manager' to be more inclusive. In the USA, the role has evolved significantly with changing social attitudes toward women's labor and family structures.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
homemakerhouseholderhomekeeperdomestic manager
Antonyms / Antônimos
breadwinnercareer womanworking woman

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dona de casa
most common and widely used term
Rio de Janeiro
dona de casa
standard usage, sometimes informally 'de casa'
São Paulo
dona de casa
standard usage, may also hear 'mulher do lar'
Portugal
dona de casa
also 'mulher do lar' is used; less common in modern context

Related Words

domestichouseholdhomemakingdomestic responsibilitiescookingcleaning

Related Idioms & Phrases

keep house
run a household
domestic duties
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