主
Meanings
Refers to the person in charge of a household, group, or organization; carries a traditional or hierarchical tone.
He is the head of this household.
You cannot disobey the master's orders.
Used for the owner of a shop, business, or property; often implies a long-standing or respected owner.
The owner of this shop is very kind.
You need to get permission from the landowner.
Refers to the person who is the subject of a rumor or the doer of a deed; often used in set phrases like 噂の主.
I wonder who the subject of the rumor is.
The doer of that prank was my younger brother.
guardian spirit; long-time resident
Can refer to a mystical guardian spirit of a place, often an old animal, or to a person who has been in a place or position for a very long time.
They say the guardian spirit of this pond is a giant snake.
He is like a long-time fixture in this company; no one can oppose him.
Old-fashioned or dialectal term for one's husband; now mostly replaced by 夫 or 主人.
My husband always comes home late.
Familiar or old-fashioned second-person pronoun, often used by older men or in period speech; can sound rough or affectionate depending on context.
See also: お主
You're pretty good too, aren't you?
What is your name, good sir?
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の主the long-time guardian or resident spirit of a place
It's said that the guardian of this forest is a huge bear.
- 〈事〉の主the person behind a rumor or deed; the one responsible
Everyone wants to know who's behind the rumor.