empleada doméstica
respectful, Mexico
In Mexico the polite term is empleada doméstica or trabajadora del hogar. The older word sirvienta is still heard but many people find it disrespectful.
Meaning: person who cleans a home for pay (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| empleada doméstica | respectful, Mexico |
| trabajadora del hogar | official term, Mexico |
| sirvienta | dated, can sound rude |
Mexican law and unions use trabajadora del hogar. In a hotel the person who cleans rooms is camarera, and in some regions recamarera.
Which one should you use?
Sirvienta and criada carry an old class sense, so avoid them in polite speech. La muchacha is common but also dated.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In hotels in Mexico recamarera is a common word for the room cleaner.
Did you know?
- Mexico passed rules in 2019 giving domestic workers a right to social security, so trabajadora del hogar became the official wording.
Examples in context
- Mi tía es trabajadora del hogar.My aunt is a domestic worker.
- La recamarera limpió el cuarto.The maid cleaned the room.
- Busco una empleada doméstica.I am looking for a domestic worker.
Example conversation
A hotel guest, Sr. Ramos, speaks with the receptionist in Guadalajara.
- Sr. RamosBuenos días, ¿ya limpiaron mi habitación?Good morning, has my room been cleaned?
- RecepcionistaSí, la recamarera ya terminó.Yes, the room cleaner just finished.
- Sr. RamosGracias.Thank you.
