Definition
People employed to manage and maintain the cleanliness and organization of a household or commercial building.
Etymology
From 'house' (Old English 'hus') + 'keeper' (from Old English 'ceapere,' originally merchant, then one who keeps/maintains). This occupational term dates back centuries.
Kelly Says
Housekeeping has ancient roots—archaeological sites show that wealthy people employed house staff for thousands of years, but the modern professional housekeeper role really formalized in the Victorian era when managing large households became incredibly complex.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
ቤት አስተዳደር
beyt as-te-da-der
ARالعربية
خادمات المنزل
kha-da-ma-t al-bayt
BNবাংলা
গৃহকর্তা
gri-ho-kar-ta
CACatalà
cuidadors de la casa
kwee-ta-dors de la ka-sa
CSČeština
domácí
do-ma-ci
DADansk
husmødre
hus-mo-dre
DEDeutsch
Hauswirtinnen
haws-vvir-tin-nuh
ELΕλληνικά
οικοκυρά
ee-ko-ky-ra
ESEspañol
empleadas del hogar
em-pleh-dahs del o-gar
FAفارسی
کارگر خانه
kar-gar kha-neh
FISuomi
kotiäidit
ko-ti-a-i-dit
FRFrançais
femmes de ménage
fanm duh ma-nyahzh
GUGU
ઘરના કામગાર
ghar-na ka-ma-gar
HAHA
shugaban gida
shu-ga-ban gi-da
HEעברית
מטפלת
ma-ta-pel-et
HIहिन्दी
घर की नौकरियाँ
ghar kee naukariyan
HUMagyar
házmester
haaz-mes-ter
IDBahasa Indonesia
pembantu rumah tangga
pembantu ru-mah tan-ga
IGIG
onye na-akwụ ụlọ
on-ye na-ak-wu u-lo
ITItaliano
pulizie
poo-lee-tsee
KKKK
жайылым үй
jay-yl-um uy
KMKM
អ្នកការពារផ្ទះ
a-nk ka-ra-peah-p-t-ah
KO한국어
주택 관리원
ju-taek man-a-i-won
MRMR
घरगुती कामगार
ghar-gu-tee ka-ma-gar
MSBahasa Melayu
pembantu rumah
pembantu ru-mah
MYမြန်မာ
မိသားစု ကူညီ
mi-tha-sar-su koo-nyee
NLNederlands
huismeisjes
huis-my-sjes
PAPA
ਘਰ ਦਾ ਕਾਮ
ghar da ka-am
PLPolski
sprzątaczki
spz-a-t-ch-ki
PTPortuguês
faxineiras
fa-shee-neh-ras
RORomână
curățătore
cu-ra-ță-to-re
RUРусский
домохозяйки
do-mo-khoz-ya-ki
SWKiswahili
wapangaji wa nyumba
wa-pan-ga-ji wa nyum-ba
TAதமிழ்
வீட்டுப்பணி
vee-tu-pp-ni
TEతెలుగు
గృహ సేవకులు
gri-ha se-va-ku-lu
TLTL
tagapaglinis ng bahay
ta-ga-pa-gli-nis ng ba-hay
TRTürkçe
ev hanımları
ev han-i-m-lah
UKУкраїнська
помічниці
po-mish-ni-t-si
URاردو
گھر کی ملازمت
ghar kee mela-z-mat
VITiếng Việt
người dọn dẹp nhà
ngoo-ee don-dep nha
ZUZU
abafun' izindlu
a-ba-fun iz-in-dlu
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Housekeeper became feminized and devalued during industrialization as domestic labor was gendered female, separated from 'estate management' (male-coded). Modern usage often carries assumptions of low skill and invisible labor despite its complexity.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'housekeeper' neutrally for the professional role. Acknowledge skill and labor value. Avoid diminishing language like 'just a housekeeper.'
Inclusive Alternatives
["domestic manager","household operations professional"]
Empowerment Note
Women housekeepers developed sophisticated systems management, budgeting, and logistics—skills now rebranded as 'hospitality operations' when performed in commercial settings.