ama de casa
/ˌama de ˈkasa/
The English phrase stay at home mom is translated into Spanish as ama de casa.
This phrase refers to a mother whose main occupation is managing the home and caring for the children. While ama de casa is the standard term, it focuses more on the domestic role than the specific status of being a mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ama de casa literally translates to mistress of the house. The word ama is an archaic or formal term for mistress/lady and casa means house.
Which one should you use?
The standard term ama de casa focuses on the domestic role.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, only the word ama changes to amas. The phrase de casa remains the same.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌama de ˈkasa/
Did you know?
- The word ama comes from the Late Latin amma, which is a kinship term reflecting the sound a baby makes when calling for its mother.
- The word ama has nothing to do with the verb 'to love' in this context. Its original meaning was 'wetnurse', referring to a woman who nursed children.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase ama de casa is used for any woman managing a home, regardless of whether she has children.
Examples in context
- ¿Usted es madre dedicada al hogar o trabaja fuera?Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work outside the home?
- Mi vecina es una mamá que se queda en casa y siempre está dispuesta a ayudar.My neighbor is a stay-at-home mom, and she's always willing to help.
- La madre de Juan es una mamá que no trabaja afuera. Ella prefiere cuidar de sus hijos en el hogar.Juan's mom is a stay-at-home mom. She prefers taking care of her children at home.
- Mi madre es ama de casa de tiempo completo.My mother is a full-time stay at home mom.
- Ser ama de casa es un trabajo duro.Being a stay at home mom is hard work.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about their family roles at a coffee shop.
- Elena¿Tu madre trabaja en una oficina?Does your mother work in an office?
- MateoNo, ella es ama de casa.No, she is a stay at home mom.
- ElenaEntiendo, ella cuida mucho de ti.I understand, she takes great care of you.
- MateoSí, ella hace un gran trabajo.Yes, she does a great job.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ama de casa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ama, casa, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
