管家 (guǎn jiā) literally combines 管 (guǎn), meaning 'to manage' or 'to oversee', and 家 (jiā), meaning 'home' or 'household'. Together, it refers to a person who manages domestic affairs — typically in a large household, traditional estate, or high-end residence. Historically, a 管家 was a trusted senior servant responsible for staff supervision, budgeting, scheduling, and maintaining household order. Today, the term is still used formally for professional house managers, especially in affluent or expatriate households in China, and sometimes appears in fiction or period dramas.

While similar to 家政服务员 (jiāzhèng fúwù yuán, 'domestic worker'), 管家 implies higher responsibility, authority, and often greater experience or education. It carries connotations of professionalism, discretion, and leadership within the home — not merely cleaning or cooking, but holistic household administration.