Translation guide
A male domestic worker who performs chores in a private home or hotel. In Japanese, this role is not commonly expressed with a single direct equivalent. The best translation depends on the context: whether it is a live-in helper, a hotel employee, or a general household assistant.
A young man employed to do housework and sometimes personal service, often living in the employer's house.
Literally 'live-in male housekeeper'. This is the most direct and natural way to describe a male domestic worker who resides in the home. Note that 家政婦 is the female equivalent, so 家政夫 specifically indicates a man.
彼は住み込みの家政夫として働いている。
He works as a live-in houseboy.
A polite, gender-neutral term for a domestic helper. While it can refer to either men or women, it is more commonly used for women. In context, it can be understood for a male helper, but specifying 男性のお手伝いさん (male helper) may be clearer.
あの家には男性のお手伝いさんがいる。
That house has a male houseboy.
A direct loanword from English. It is understood but sounds dated or foreign, and is not commonly used in modern Japanese. Might appear in translations of Western literature or in historical contexts.
彼はイギリスの屋敷でハウスボーイとして雇われた。
He was hired as a houseboy at an English mansion.
A young man working in a hotel, performing tasks like carrying bags, running errands, or assisting guests.
The standard term for a bellboy or bellhop in Japanese hotels. This is the closest equivalent for a hotel houseboy, though it specifically refers to luggage handling and guest services.
ベルボーイに荷物を部屋まで運んでもらった。
I had the houseboy carry my luggage to the room.
A loanword for porter, used in hotels or stations for someone who carries luggage. It is less specific than ベルボーイ and can refer to any luggage handler.
A man employed to do cleaning, cooking, or other domestic chores, but not necessarily living in the home.
This phrase means 'male staff for housekeeping agency'. It is a modern, clear way to refer to a hired male domestic worker who comes to the house to perform chores.
家事代行の男性スタッフに掃除を頼んでいる。
I have a houseboy from an agency do the cleaning.
Simply 'male housekeeper'. This can be used for both live-in and non-live-in situations, though it often implies a more formal employment arrangement.
週に二回、家政夫に来てもらっている。
A houseboy comes twice a week.
The English word 'houseboy' can sound outdated or colonial in some contexts. In Japanese, directly translating it as ハウスボーイ may carry similar connotations or simply sound unnatural. It is better to use descriptive terms like 住み込みの家政夫 or ベルボーイ depending on the situation.
Japanese domestic worker terms are often gendered by default. 家政婦 (かせいふ) means female housekeeper, while 家政夫 (かせいふ) specifies a male. The neutral term お手伝いさん is commonly used for women, so when referring to a man, adding 男性の (だんせいの) is helpful.
ホテルのポーターがタクシーを呼んでくれた。
The hotel houseboy called a taxi for me.