Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| criada | /ˈkɾjada/ | feminine |
| doméstica | /doˈmestika/ | feminine |
| empleada doméstica | /empleˌada doˈmestika/ | feminine |
| muchacha de servicio | /mut͡ʃat͡ʃa de seɾbiθjo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /mut͡ʃat͡ʃa de seɾbisjo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| asesora del hogar | /asesoɾa del oɡaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Chile, feminine |
| asistenta | /asisˈtenta/ | Spain, feminine |
| mucama | /muˈkama/ | Argentina, Uruguay, feminine |
| señora de servicio | /seɲoɾa de seɾbiθjo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seɲoɾa de seɾbisjo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Venezuela, feminine |
| sirvienta | /siɾˈbjenta/ | feminine |
| cachifa | /kaˈt͡ʃifa/ | Venezuela, feminine |
| chacha | /ˈt͡ʃat͡ʃa/ | Mexico, Spain, feminine |
| cholera | /t͡ʃoˈleɾa/ | El Salvador, Guatemala, feminine |
| chopa | /ˈt͡ʃopa/ | Dominican Republic, feminine |
| fregona | /fɾeˈɡona/ | Spain, feminine |
| gata | /ˈɡata/ | Mexico, feminine |
| muca | /muka/ (from spelling rules) | Guatemala, feminine |
The term refers to a female servant or cleaner. While many terms exist, empleada doméstica is a formal and polite way to say "maid," whereas muchacha de servicio is a common and descriptive way to refer to one across many Spanish-speaking regions. In professional environments like hotels or offices, you might use the term auxiliar de limpieza.
Which one should you use?
Empleada doméstica is a more polite and professional choice than criada or sirvienta. Conversely, sirvienta can carry a more derogatory or demeaning connotation compared to more formal terms.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, mucama is the standard term, though in Argentina, empleada is also commonly used. In Chile, use asesora del hogar. In Spain, you may hear asistenta, chacha or fregona. In Mexico, trabajadora doméstica is typical, though chacha and gata are also used. In Venezuela, terms include señora de servicio and cachifa. In Colombia, muchacha de servicio is frequent. In the Dominican Republic, chopa is used. In El Salvador and Guatemala, cholera is used, while in Guatemala, muca is also heard.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɾjada/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be cautious when using criada or sirvienta, as these can sound quite harsh or old-fashioned depending on the context.
Did you know?
- The term cholera in El Salvador and Guatemala does not refer to the disease 'cholera' in this context. Instead, it is a regional slang term for a domestic worker.
- The term fregona in Spain refers to both a maid and a 'mop'. This is because the word comes from the verb fregar, meaning 'to scrub'.
- The word criada comes from the verb criar, which means 'to raise' or 'to bring up'. It historically refers to a servant who was raised within the household they served.
Examples in context
- ¡No soy tu cachifa!I'm not your maid!This sentence shows an expression of indignation using cachifa.Tatoeba #12316253 by Serrot, translation #12319697 by michu3453
- Él tiene una mucama.He has a maid.This sentence demonstrates the use of mucama.Tatoeba #603230 by Leono, translation #476463 by Eldad
- La criada dejó el empleo.The maid gave up her job.This sentence uses criada to describe someone leaving their job.Tatoeba #2254438 by cueyayotl, translation #2254437 by _undertoad
- La señora García tiene una excelente empleada doméstica que la ayuda en las tareas del hogar.Mrs. Garcia has an excellent maid who helps her with the household chores.
- El auxiliar de limpieza mantuvo el hotel impecable durante nuestra estancia.The cleaning assistant kept the hotel impeccable during our stay.
- Doña Carmen tiene una criada que la ayuda con las tareas de la casa.Doña Carmen has a maid who helps her with the household chores.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing household help.
- MaríaNecesitamos contratar a una criada.We need to hire a maid.
- JavierSí, la casa está muy sucia.Yes, the house is very dirty.
- MaríaConozco a una criada muy responsable.I know a very responsible maid.
- JavierPerfecto, llama a esa persona hoy.Perfect, call that person today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maid” translations and entries criada, doméstica, empleada doméstica, asesora del hogar, asistenta, mucama, sirvienta, cachifa, chacha, cholera, chopa, fregona, gata, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
