Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'housewife'

English Word: housewife

Key Russian Translations:

• домохозяйка [dɐməxɐˈzajkə] - [Formal, Feminine noun, Commonly used in everyday contexts]
• хозяйка дома [xɐˈzajkə dɐˈma] - [Informal, Phrase-based, Used in casual conversations or when emphasizing the home role]

Frequency: Medium (The term is commonly encountered in modern Russian media and daily life, but less frequent in professional contexts due to evolving gender roles.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2, CEFR level; Involves understanding noun declensions and gender agreements. For 'домохозяйка', it's straightforward; for 'хозяйка дома', it requires grasp of genitive constructions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

домохозяйка: [dɐməxɐˈzajkə]

Note on домохозяйка: The stress is on the third syllable ('zajkə'). Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) in 'зайка', which softens the preceding consonant. Variations may occur in dialects.

хозяйка дома: [xɐˈzajkə dɐˈma]

Note on хозяйка дома: Pronounce 'хозяйка' with a guttural 'х' sound, similar to the Scottish 'ch' in 'loch'. The phrase is often said quickly in conversation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A woman who manages the household, typically without external employment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• домохозяйка - Used in formal or neutral contexts, such as official documents or discussions about family roles.
• хозяйка дома - Applied in informal settings, like family chats, to emphasize domestic responsibilities without implying full-time dedication.

Usage Examples:

• Моя мама — домохозяйка, она управляет всем домом и воспитывает детей.

  My mom is a housewife; she manages the entire house and raises the children.

• В прошлом веке многие женщины становились хозяйками дома, чтобы сосредоточиться на семье.

  In the last century, many women became housewives to focus on the family.

• Она решила работать как домохозяйка после рождения ребёнка, чтобы иметь больше времени для семьи.

  She decided to work as a housewife after having a child to have more time for the family.

• Хозяйка дома часто организует праздники и готовит еду для гостей.

  The housewife often organizes holidays and cooks food for guests.

• В современном обществе роль домохозяйки эволюционировала, включая онлайн-работу и хобби.

  In modern society, the role of a housewife has evolved to include online work and hobbies.

Potential secondary meaning: A woman with expertise in household management (more metaphorical).

Translation(s) & Context:

• хозяйка дома - Used metaphorically in literature or advice contexts, implying skill rather than full-time role.

Usage Examples:

• Она настоящая хозяйка дома, всегда знает, как сделать уют в любом помещении.

  She is a true housewife, always knowing how to make any room cozy.

• Домохозяйка в этой семье не только готовит, но и управляет бюджетом.

  The housewife in this family not only cooks but also manages the budget.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Домохозяйка' is a feminine noun (first declension). It follows standard Russian noun patterns with changes based on case and number. 'Хозяйка дома' is a phrase where 'хозяйка' is also feminine and declines, while 'дома' is genitive of 'дом'.

For 'хозяйка', it declines similarly: Nominative singular - хозяйка; Genitive singular - хозяйки. The phrase 'дома' is invariant in genitive form. These words do not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хозяйка (Similar to 'housewife' but more general; often used for 'hostess' as well)
  • домохозяин (Gender-neutral or masculine form, though less common for females)
• Antonyms:
  • работница (Worker, implying external employment)
  • карьеристка (Career woman, contrasting with domestic focus)

Related Phrases:

• Домашняя хозяйка - (Home-based housewife; Refers to someone managing the house full-time.)
• Хозяйка в доме - (The lady of the house; Used in contexts emphasizing authority in domestic settings.)
• Быть домохозяйкой - (To be a housewife; A common phrase in discussions about life choices.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'домохозяйка' directly corresponds to 'housewife' but carries a neutral connotation, often without the gender stereotypes present in English. It's more common in formal or written contexts, while 'хозяйка дома' is preferred in spoken language. Always ensure gender agreement in sentences (e.g., adjectives and verbs must match feminine forms). When choosing between translations, use 'домохозяйка' for precision in modern contexts and 'хозяйка дома' for idiomatic, everyday speech. Be aware of cultural shifts: In contemporary Russia, this term is less emphasized due to women's increasing participation in the workforce.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'домохозяин' for a female, thinking it's gender-neutral. Correct: 'Домохозяин' is masculine; use 'домохозяйка' for females. Explanation: Russian nouns have strict gender rules, so incorrect usage can alter meaning or sound unnatural.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "Я встречаю домохозяйка" instead of "Я встречаю домохозяйку". Correct: "Я встречаю домохозяйку" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing with 'хозяин', which means 'owner' or 'master'. Correct: Use 'хозяйка' for the feminine form. Explanation: This can lead to gender mismatches in context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a 'housewife' (домохозяйка) has historical roots in Soviet-era family structures, where women balanced domestic duties with state employment. Today, it reflects evolving gender dynamics, often portrayed in media as empowering or traditional. However, it can carry subtle connotations of domesticity versus career ambition, influenced by post-Soviet social changes.

Related Concepts:

• семья (Family)
• дом (Home)
• работа (Work)
• роль женщины (Role of women)