‘主妇’ literally combines ‘主’ (zhǔ), meaning ‘master’ or ‘head’, and ‘妇’ (fù), meaning ‘married woman’. Together, it refers to a married woman who manages the household—traditionally handling cooking, cleaning, childcare, and family finances. While historically gendered and sometimes carrying connotations of traditional domestic roles, the term remains widely used in modern Chinese to describe any woman who primarily takes charge of home life, regardless of employment status.

The word carries neutral-to-slightly formal register; it’s more common in written contexts, news reports, or sociological discussions than in casual speech (where terms like ‘妈妈’ or ‘太太’ may be preferred). It emphasizes responsibility and authority within the domestic sphere—not subservience—and can imply competence and leadership at home.