Formal:
* Mère au foyer: This is the most literal translation and is often used in official documents or contexts. It literally translates to "mother at the hearth."
* Femme au foyer: This is another formal option, meaning "woman at the hearth."
* Ménagère: This word is less common but can be used to refer to a woman who manages the household.
Informal:
* Femme de ménage: This literally means "cleaning woman" and can be considered informal. It's more accurate to describe someone who cleans the house than a housewife.
* Maman au foyer: This is a more informal way to say "mother at the hearth" and is often used in casual conversation.
Alternatives:
* Femme au foyer (as mentioned above) can be used to refer to a woman who stays home to manage the household, regardless of whether she has children.
* Ménagère (as mentioned above) is also a general term for a woman who takes care of the home.
It's important to consider the context and your intended meaning when choosing the appropriate term.
Example:
"My grandmother was a housewife." could be translated as:
* Ma grand-mère était une mère au foyer. (Formal)
* Ma grand-mère était une femme au foyer. (Formal)
* Ma grand-mère s'occupait de la maison. (More general)