This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B1 noun 8 min read

専業主婦

sengyou shufu
Examples 専業主婦 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 専業主婦 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn '専業主婦' (Sengyō Shufu) as a single vocabulary item that means 'housewife.' You don't need to worry about the complex social debates yet. Just think of it as a way to describe someone's job when they stay at home to take care of the family. You can use it in simple sentences like 'My mother is a housewife' (母は専業主婦です). It is a noun, so it follows the basic grammar rules you are learning for occupations like 'teacher' or 'student.' Remember that the first part 'Sengyō' means 'full-time' or 'only that job,' and 'Shufu' means 'housewife.' This word is very common when talking about family members or introducing yourself if you stay at home.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you can start to distinguish between '主婦' (Shufu - housewife) and '専業主婦' (Sengyō Shufu - full-time housewife). 'Sengyō' adds the meaning that the person does not have any other job. You might use this word when talking about your daily routine or your future plans. For example, 'I want to be a full-time housewife' (専業主婦になりたいです). You will also notice that it is a very common category in Japanese society. You should be able to understand this word when you hear it in simple self-introductions or see it in basic reading passages about family life. It's also a good time to learn the male version, '専業主夫' (Sengyō Shufu - househusband), which sounds the same but uses different kanji.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B1 level, you should understand the social implications of being a '専業主婦' in Japan. This word often appears in discussions about lifestyle choices and work-life balance. You should be able to use it to describe societal trends, such as 'The number of full-time housewives is decreasing' (専業主婦の数は減っています). You will also encounter the term '兼業主婦' (Kengyō Shufu), which refers to those who balance housework with a job. At this level, you should be comfortable using the particle 'として' (as) with this word, such as 'Working as a full-time housewife' (専業主婦として働く). You should also be aware that this role is viewed as a 'professional' domestic role in Japan, involving complex tasks like financial management.
At the B2 level, you will encounter '専業主婦' in more complex contexts, such as news reports on tax laws or economic policy. You should understand terms like '1.03 million yen wall,' which is a financial threshold relevant to full-time housewives. You'll also see it in literature or opinion pieces discussing gender equality and the 'M-curve' (the dip in female labor participation during child-rearing years). You should be able to debate the pros and cons of the 'Sengyō Shufu' lifestyle in Japanese, using more advanced grammar and vocabulary. The word is no longer just a label for a job; it's a key term for understanding the structure of the Japanese family and the challenges of a shrinking population.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, you should be able to analyze the historical and cultural evolution of the '専業主婦' model. You should understand how this role was idealized during the Shōwa era and how that ideal is being challenged today. You will encounter the word in academic texts, sociological studies, and high-level journalism. You should be able to discuss the 'shadow labor' (unpaid work) performed by housewives and how it is valued (or undervalued) in the Japanese economy. You might also explore the psychological aspects, such as 'Sengyō Shufu syndrome,' or the social pressure to be a 'perfect' mother and wife. Your usage of the term should reflect an understanding of these deep-seated cultural nuances.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of the discourse surrounding '専業主婦.' You can engage in sophisticated critiques of the 'Sengyō Shufu' model as it relates to neoliberalism, corporate culture, and state policy. You should be able to interpret subtle nuances in how the term is used in political rhetoric or avant-garde literature. You might analyze how the term is being reclaimed or redefined by younger generations (e.g., 'Pro-Shufu'). You should also be familiar with the legal and institutional frameworks that have historically supported the 'Sengyō Shufu' model, such as the pension system and health insurance dependencies. At this level, the word is a gateway to a comprehensive understanding of Japanese social structure and history.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

専業主婦 in 30 Seconds

  • Sengyō Shufu means a full-time housewife who does not have a side job.
  • It is a noun composed of kanji meaning 'exclusive occupation' and 'housewife.'
  • In Japan, it is a significant social category with specific tax and legal implications.
  • The male version is Sengyō Shufu (househusband), written with different kanji.

The term 専業主婦 (Sengyō Shufu) is a cornerstone of Japanese sociological discussion, representing a 'full-time housewife.' To understand this word, one must look at its kanji composition: 専 (Sen) meaning 'exclusive' or 'solely,' 業 (Gyō) meaning 'business' or 'occupation,' 主 (Shu) meaning 'main' or 'master,' and 婦 (Fu) meaning 'lady' or 'wife.' Together, it literally translates to a 'lady whose sole occupation is being the head of the house.'

Social Nuance
In the Japanese context, being a 'Sengyō Shufu' was historically viewed as a status symbol of the middle class, especially during the post-war economic miracle. It implied that the husband's income was sufficient to support the entire family without the wife needing to work outside the home.

Unlike the general term shufu (主婦), which can apply to any woman who manages a household regardless of whether she has a part-time job, 専業主婦 specifically denotes that she does not engage in external paid employment. This distinction is crucial in government statistics, tax bracket discussions, and social self-identification.

結婚したら、彼女は専業主婦になりたいと言っています。
(Kekkon shitara, kanojo wa sengyō shufu ni naritai to itte imasu.)
She says she wants to become a full-time housewife after getting married.

The 'Professional' Aspect
The inclusion of the kanji '業' (occupation) suggests that being a housewife is treated as a professional role. It involves managing finances (the 'kakeibo' or household ledger), child-rearing, and community relations, which are all viewed as essential labor for the stability of the Japanese corporate 'salaryman' lifestyle.

専業主婦の労働を年収に換算すると、非常に高い金額になります。
(Sengyō shufu no rōdō o nenshū ni kansan suru to, hijō ni takai kingaku ni narimasu.)
If you convert the labor of a full-time housewife into annual income, it amounts to a very high sum.

In modern Japan, the term is sometimes used with a mix of envy and criticism. Some see it as a luxury, while others see it as a traditional role that limits women's career potential. When using this word, be mindful of the listener's background and the context of the conversation, as it touches upon sensitive issues like the '1.03 million yen tax wall' and the declining birthrate.

Using 専業主婦 correctly requires an understanding of Japanese noun-verb patterns. It is most commonly used as a subject or a predicate in sentences describing one's occupation or status. Because it is a noun, it typically pairs with the copula desu or the verb naru (to become).

Common Grammatical Patterns
  • [Person] は 専業主婦 です。 (Person is a full-time housewife.)
  • 専業主婦 に なる。 (To become a full-time housewife.)
  • 専業主婦 として 働く。 (To work as [in the capacity of] a full-time housewife.)

When discussing the daily life or struggles of this demographic, you might see it used as a modifier. For example, '専業主婦の生活' (the life of a full-time housewife) or '専業主婦層' (the full-time housewife demographic).

母はずっと専業主婦だったので、料理がとても上手です。
(Haha wa zutto sengyō shufu datta node, ryōri ga totemo jōzu desu.)
My mother has always been a full-time housewife, so she is very good at cooking.

In formal documents or surveys, you may find the term used to categorize employment status. It is distinct from 'unemployed' (無職 - mushoku), as 'housewife' is recognized as a specific social and functional role. However, in casual conversation, if someone asks 'What do you do?' (お仕事は何ですか？), responding with '専業主婦です' is a standard and clear way to describe one's status.

最近は、専業主婦でもブログやSNSで収入を得る人が増えています。
(Saikin wa, sengyō shufu demo burogu ya SNS de shūnyū o eru hito ga fuete imasu.)
Lately, even full-time housewives are increasingly earning income through blogs and SNS.

When describing the transition from working to staying at home, the particle ni is used with naru. Conversely, if one is returning to the workforce, one might say '専業主婦を辞めて、働き始める' (Quit being a full-time housewife and start working).

The word 専業主婦 is ubiquitous in Japanese media, policy discussions, and daily life. You will encounter it in several distinct contexts, each carrying its own set of cultural baggage.

1. Government and Policy
When the Japanese government discusses 'Womenomics' or the '1.03 million yen wall' (103万円の壁), 専業主婦 is the central term. This refers to the income limit below which a spouse can remain a dependent for tax purposes. News anchors often use this term when reporting on labor shortages and the need for more women in the workforce.

In the realm of daytime television, specifically 'Wide Shows' (ワイドショー), the lives of full-time housewives are a frequent topic. Programs might feature segments on 'super housewives' who excel at budgeting, organizing, or cooking, using the term with a sense of admiration for their domestic skills.

テレビ番組で、カリスマ専業主婦の節約術が紹介された。
(Terebi bangumi de, karisuma sengyō shufu no setsuyakujutsu ga shōkai sareta.)
A TV program introduced the money-saving techniques of a 'charismatic' full-time housewife.

2. Neighborhood and Social Circles
In residential neighborhoods, mothers often identify themselves or others by this term. You might hear it at school PTA meetings or 'Idobata-kaigi' (well-side chats/gossip). Here, it can sometimes carry a nuance of social hierarchy or shared struggle, depending on the neighborhood's economic status.

In Japanese dramas (J-Dramas), the 'Sengyō Shufu' is a classic archetype. From the 'perfect' mother to the 'frustrated' wife seeking a new identity, the term is used to set the stage for the character's social constraints and daily routines. Titles like 'Gokushufudou' (The Way of the Househusband) play on this term by applying the domestic 'Sengyō' identity to an ex-yakuza man.

Finally, in online forums like 'Girl's Channel' or 'Yahoo! Chiebukuro' (Japan's Quora), the term is at the center of heated debates regarding 'the value of domestic labor' versus 'economic independence.' It is a word that rarely fails to provoke a strong reaction in contemporary Japanese society.

For English speakers, the most common mistake is failing to distinguish between shufu (主婦) and sengyō shufu (専業主婦). While 'housewife' is often used broadly in English, Japanese is more precise about the 'full-time' aspect.

Mistake 1: Overgeneralization
Calling a woman who works part-time a 'Sengyō Shufu'.
In Japan, if a woman works even a few hours a week at a supermarket (a 'pāto' job), she is technically a 兼業主婦 (Kengyō Shufu). Calling her a 'Sengyō Shufu' might be factually incorrect and could ignore her professional efforts outside the home.

Another mistake involves gender. As mentioned previously, the Japanese language uses different kanji for 'housewife' and 'househusband,' though they sound identical. In writing, using the wrong kanji can be a significant error.

Incorrect: 彼は専業主婦です。
Correct: 彼は専業主夫です。
The 'fu' (婦) in the first sentence specifically refers to a woman. For a man, use 'fu' (夫).

Mistake 2: Conflating with 'Unemployed'
Using 'Mushoku' (無職) instead of 'Sengyō Shufu'.
While technically a housewife does not have a 'shoku' (job/employment) in the corporate sense, calling someone 'mushoku' can be seen as slightly rude or dismissive of their domestic work. 'Sengyō Shufu' is the socially appropriate term that acknowledges their role.

Finally, be careful with the level of formality. While 専業主婦 is a standard term, in very formal settings or academic papers, you might see Kajishujisha (家事従事者 - person engaged in housework), though this is rare in normal conversation. Conversely, don't use 'Sengyō Shufu' to refer to someone who is just 'staying at home' temporarily between jobs; it implies a long-term role and identity.

To truly master the use of 専業主婦, it is helpful to compare it with related terms that describe domestic life and employment status in Japan.

1. 主婦 (Shufu)
This is the general term for 'housewife.' It is broader and doesn't specify whether she works outside the home. If you aren't sure of someone's employment status, 'Shufu' is the safer, more general choice.
2. 兼業主婦 (Kengyō Shufu)
The direct opposite of 'Sengyō.' This refers to a housewife who also has a job (the 'dual-role' housewife). This is becoming the statistical norm in Japan.

'Sengyō' (専業) implies 100% focus on the home.
'Kengyō' (兼業) implies a balance between home and work.

3. 主夫 (Shufu - Househusband)
As gender roles evolve, more men are choosing to stay at home. The word is phonetically identical but written with the kanji for 'husband' (夫). It is often preceded by 'Sengyō' to indicate he is a full-time househusband.

In more modern or feminist contexts, you might hear the term 家事専念 (Kaji Sennen), which means 'concentrating on housework.' This focuses on the action rather than the identity of being a 'wife.'

Finally, when talking about women who work part-time, the word パート (Pāto) is often used in conjunction with 'Shufu.' For example, 'パート主婦' (a housewife who works a part-time job). This is a very common social category in Japan, sitting right between 'Sengyō Shufu' and a full-time working woman.

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

私の母は専業主婦です。

My mother is a full-time housewife.

Basic [Noun] + [Desu] structure.

2

彼女は専業主婦になりました。

She became a full-time housewife.

Use of the verb 'naru' (to become) with the particle 'ni'.

3

専業主婦は忙しいですか？

Are full-time housewives busy?

Simple question with the topic marker 'wa'.

4

田中さんは専業主婦じゃありません。

Ms. Tanaka is not a full-time housewife.

Negative form of 'desu'.

5

専業主婦の毎日は大変です。

A full-time housewife's every day is hard.

Use of 'no' to show possession or relationship.

6

私の夢は専業主婦です。

My dream is to be a full-time housewife.

Basic A is B structure.

7

近所に専業主婦が多いです。

There are many full-time housewives in the neighborhood.

Use of 'ga ooi' (there are many).

8

専業主婦は料理を作ります。

Full-time housewives make meals.

Direct object marker 'o' with the verb 'tsukuru'.

1

専業主婦になりたいと言っていました。

She was saying she wants to become a full-time housewife.

Quotative 'to' with 'itte imashita'.

2

専業主婦なので、昼間は家にいます。

Since I am a full-time housewife, I am at home during the day.

Use of 'node' to indicate reason.

3

専業主婦と働く主婦、どちらがいいですか？

Which is better, a full-time housewife or a working housewife?

Comparison structure 'A to B, dochira ga...'.

4

彼女は専業主婦として頑張っています。

She is doing her best as a full-time housewife.

Use of 'toshite' meaning 'as' or 'in the role of'.

5

専業主婦でも、自分の時間が欲しいです。

Even as a full-time housewife, I want time for myself.

Concessive 'demo' meaning 'even if' or 'even as'.

6

専業主婦の友達とお茶をしました。

I had tea with my full-time housewife friend.

Past tense of 'o-cha o suru'.

7

専業主婦は家事を全部します。

Full-time housewives do all the housework.

Adverb 'zenbu' used to modify the action.

8

どうして専業主婦になったのですか？

Why did you become a full-time housewife?

Use of 'n desu ka' for seeking explanation.

1

専業主婦の社会的地位について考えましょう。

Let's think about the social status of full-time housewives.

Volitional form 'mashō' to make a suggestion.

2

最近、専業主婦を希望する若い女性が増えているそうです。

I heard that the number of young women wishing to be full-time housewives is increasing lately.

Reporting hearsay with 'sō desu'.

3

専業主婦は休みがない仕事だと言われます。

It is said that being a full-time housewife is a job with no days off.

Passive voice 'iwareru' (is said).

4

彼女は専業主婦ですが、在宅で仕事をしています。

She is a full-time housewife, but she works from home.

Contrasting 'ga' (but) between two clauses.

5

専業主婦にとっても、経済的自立は大切です。

Economic independence is important for full-time housewives too.

Use of 'ni totte' (for / from the perspective of).

6

専業主婦が家計を管理することが多いです。

It is common for full-time housewives to manage the household finances.

Nominalizing a clause with 'koto'.

7

彼女は専業主婦を辞めて、再就職しました。

She quit being a full-time housewife and got a job again.

Te-form to show a sequence of actions.

8

専業主婦の役割は時代とともに変化しています。

The role of the full-time housewife is changing with the times.

Use of 'to tomo ni' (along with).

1

専業主婦世帯の減少は、日本の労働力不足を反映している。

The decrease in full-time housewife households reflects Japan's labor shortage.

Formal 'dictionary form' ending for written reports.

2

専業主婦は「無償労働」を担っているという議論がある。

There is a debate that full-time housewives carry the burden of 'unpaid labor.'

Relative clause modifying 'shū' (debate/argument).

3

税制上の優遇措置が、専業主婦の就労を妨げているとの指摘がある。

It has been pointed out that tax incentives are hindering full-time housewives from seeking employment.

Use of 'to no shiteki' (the point that...).

4

専業主婦であることを誇りに思っている女性も少なくない。

There are not a few women who take pride in being full-time housewives.

Double negative 'sukunaku nai' for emphasis (meaning 'many').

5

育児が一段落した後、専業主婦から正社員を目指すのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to aim for full-time employment after a stint as a housewife once child-rearing has settled down.

Use of 'yōi de wa nai' (is not easy).

6

専業主婦の孤独感は、現代社会の課題の一つである。

The sense of isolation among full-time housewives is one of the challenges of modern society.

Structure 'A wa B no hitotsu da' (A is one of B).

7

彼は「専業主夫」として、妻のキャリアを支えている。

He supports his wife's career as a 'full-time househusband.'

Use of quotation marks for the term 'shufu' (husband).

8

専業主婦の年金問題は、将来の大きな不安要素だ。

The pension issue for full-time housewives is a major source of future anxiety.

Compound nouns and formal 'da' ending.

1

高度経済成長期における専業主婦は、サラリーマン社会を支える不可欠なインフラであった。

Full-time housewives during the high economic growth period were an essential infrastructure supporting the salaryman society.

Historical analysis using formal vocabulary like 'fukaketsu' (essential).

2

専業主婦という生き方が、ジェンダーバイアスを再生産しているという批判は根強い。

Criticism that the lifestyle of a full-time housewife reproduces gender bias remains strong.

Use of 'saiseisan' (reproduce) in a sociological context.

3

「三歳児神話」が、多くの女性を専業主婦という選択肢に縛り付けてきた。

The 'three-year-old myth' has bound many women to the choice of being a full-time housewife.

Use of 'shibari-tsukete kita' (has been binding).

4

専業主婦のアイデンティティは、夫の職業や年収に強く依存する傾向がある。

The identity of a full-time housewife tends to depend heavily on the husband's occupation and annual income.

Use of 'izon suru keikō ga aru' (tendency to depend on).

5

少子化対策として、専業主婦への支援と女性の就労支援のバランスが問われている。

As a measure against the declining birthrate, the balance between support for housewives and support for working women is being questioned.

Passive voice 'towarete iru' (is being questioned).

6

専業主婦層の消費行動は、日本経済において無視できない影響力を持っている。

The consumption behavior of the full-time housewife demographic has an influence that cannot be ignored in the Japanese economy.

Double negative 'mushi dekinai' (cannot ignore).

7

日本のドラマにおける専業主婦の描かれ方は、ステレオタイプを助長している側面がある。

The portrayal of full-time housewives in Japanese dramas has an aspect that promotes stereotypes.

Use of 'sokumen ga aru' (there is an aspect of).

8

専業主婦という言葉自体が、将来的に死語になる可能性も指摘されている。

It has also been pointed out that the word 'sengyō shufu' itself may become an obsolete word in the future.

Use of 'shigo' (dead word/obsolete word).

1

専業主婦の存在は、日本型雇用慣行である「メンバーシップ型」と密接に結びついている。

The existence of the full-time housewife is closely linked to the 'membership-based' Japanese employment practice.

Use of technical terms like 'koyō kankō' (employment practices).

2

フェミニズムの文脈において、専業主婦は家父長制の犠牲者か、あるいは守護者かという二項対立で語られがちである。

In the context of feminism, the full-time housewife is often spoken of in a binary opposition: either as a victim of patriarchy or its guardian.

Use of 'nikō tairitsu' (binary opposition) and '-gachi' (tends to).

3

ポストモダン社会において、専業主婦という選択は、かつての必然から「ライフスタイルの一環」へと変質した。

In postmodern society, the choice to be a full-time housewife has transformed from a past necessity into 'part of a lifestyle.'

Use of 'henshitsu shita' (transformed/altered in quality).

4

専業主婦の「見えない労働」をGDPに算入すべきかという議論は、経済学的なパラダイムシフトを要求している。

The debate over whether to include the 'invisible labor' of full-time housewives in GDP demands an economic paradigm shift.

Complex sentence with nested clauses and 'paradigm shift'.

5

「プロ主婦」の台頭は、家事の外部化が進む一方で、家庭内労働の専門性を再定義する動きとも言える。

The rise of 'pro-housewives' can be seen as a movement to redefine the expertise of domestic labor, even as the outsourcing of housework progresses.

Use of 'ippō de' (on the other hand) and 'to mo ieru' (can also be said).

6

専業主婦の孤立化を防ぐためのコミュニティ形成は、都市計画や福祉政策の枢要な課題となっている。

Building communities to prevent the isolation of full-time housewives has become a pivotal issue in urban planning and welfare policy.

Use of 'sūyō na' (pivotal/crucial).

7

専業主婦というカテゴリーが解体される過程で、ケア労働の主体が誰であるべきかという問いが先鋭化している。

In the process of the 'full-time housewife' category being dismantled, the question of who should be the subject of care labor is becoming more acute.

Use of 'sen'eika shite iru' (becoming acute/sharpened).

8

専業主婦の再就職における「スキル・ミスマッチ」は、長年の家庭生活で培われた能力が市場で正当に評価されないことに起因する。

The 'skill mismatch' in the re-employment of full-time housewives stems from the fact that abilities cultivated through years of domestic life are not fairly valued in the market.

Use of 'ni kiin suru' (stems from / is caused by).

Common Collocations

専業主婦になる
専業主婦を希望する
専業主婦の生活
専業主婦の役割
専業主婦世帯
カリスマ専業主婦
専業主婦の孤独
専業主婦の年収
専業主婦の再就職
専業主婦としての誇り

Common Phrases

一生専業主婦

— A full-time housewife for one's whole life. Implies a lifelong commitment to the home.

私は一生専業主婦でいたいです。

専業主婦の鑑

— A model or paragon of a full-time housewife. Used to praise exceptional domestic skills.

彼女は専業主婦の鑑のような人だ。

専業主婦願望

— The desire to be a full-time housewife. Often used in dating or marriage surveys.

彼女には強い専業主婦願望がある。

専業主婦の知恵

— The wisdom or 'hacks' of a full-time housewife. Usually refers to saving money or cleaning.

専業主婦の知恵を借りる。

専業主婦の肩書き

— The title or status of being a full-time housewife.

専業主婦という肩書きを捨てる。

専業主婦の特権

— The privileges of being a full-time housewife. Can be used sincerely or sarcastically.

平日にランチができるのは専業主婦の特権だ。

専業主婦の苦労

— The hardships of being a full-time housewife. Usually refers to invisible labor.

専業主婦の苦労は理解されにくい。

専業主婦モデル

— The 'housewife model' of family structure. Used in economic and social discussions.

昭和の専業主婦モデルが崩壊した。

専業主婦ランチ

— Lunch outings enjoyed by housewives during the day. Often implies a bit of luxury.

今日はママ友と専業主婦ランチです。

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

家庭主妇 Chinese
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!