noun
main building; main house
Refers to the principal building of a traditional Japanese residential compound, as opposed to outbuildings or detached wings.
この敷地では、母屋のほかに離れと蔵がある。
On this property, besides the main house, there is a detached building and a storehouse.
noun
central room; main room
In traditional Japanese farmhouses, the large central room with an open hearth, used for daily living and receiving guests.
古い農家では、母屋にいろりがあった。
In old farmhouses, the central room had an open hearth.
Compound of 母 (omo, 'main, principal') + 屋 (ya, 'house, building'). The kanji 母 is used phonetically for its reading 'omo', not for its meaning 'mother'.