主 — Master, Owner, Principal

Meaning

The kanji 主 (しゅ, ぬし) is a fundamental character in Japanese, primarily meaning 'master,' 'owner,' 'lord,' 'principal,' or 'main.' It conveys a sense of authority, primary importance, or proprietorship over something. When you encounter 主, consider it the key, central, or controlling element.

Its origin is often traced back to an ancient pictograph depicting a lamp or a candle stand. The small dot at the top is believed to represent the flickering flame or the wick. Meanwhile, the lines below form the stand or base.

In ancient times, a lamp was the 'main' or 'principal' source of light in a room. From this, the character evolved to represent anything central or dominant. This naturally extended its meaning to include the 'master' of a household, the 'owner' of property, or the 'chief' person in charge.

Visually, the kanji's structure reinforces these meanings. The prominent dot at the top can be seen as the 'head' or 'main point,' while the base provides support. This simple yet powerful shape clearly conveys the essence of leadership and centrality.

The kanji 主 has 5 strokes and is taught to students in Grade 3 of elementary school in Japan, placing it at an N4 level in the JLPT system.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

On'yomi readings are typically used when 主 forms part of a compound word with other kanji. The most common on'yomi for 主 are シュ (shu) and, less frequently, ス (su).

シュ (shu): This is the predominant on'yomi and appears in a wide range of common vocabulary. It often signifies 'master,' 'main,' 'principal,' or 'lord.'
主人しゅじん (shujin) — master, husband, owner (of a shop). This common word refers to the head of a household, a shop owner, or one's own husband.
主要しゅよう (shuyō) — principal, main, essential. Use this to describe things of utmost importance, such as a 'main road' (主要道路しゅようどうろ) or 'principal components' (主要部品しゅようぶひん).
主役しゅやく (shuyaku) — leading part, main character. This refers to the central figure in a play, movie, or story.
主張しゅちょう (shuchō) — claim, assertion, insistence. This means to state one's opinion or main point strongly.
ス (su): This reading is less common than シュ. It typically appears in more specific or historical contexts, often retaining a meaning related to 'master' or 'chief.'
施主せしゅ (seshu) — donor, patron. This term particularly refers to the master or chief donor, often for temples or religious offerings.
喪主もしゅ (moshu) — chief mourner. This is the main person responsible for funeral arrangements.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

Kun'yomi readings are used when the kanji stands alone or is followed by okurigana (hiragana endings). These readings often reflect the original Japanese words for the concepts 主 represents.

ぬし (nushi): This reading directly translates to 'owner,' 'master,' or 'head.' It can refer to a person who owns something, or metaphorically, to a dominant figure in a specific place.
持ち主もちぬし (mochinushi) — owner (of an object). This explicitly refers to the person who possesses something.
家主やぬし (yanushi) — landlord, house owner. This denotes the owner of a house or property.
池の主いけのぬし (ike no nushi) — the master of the pond. This might refer to a large, dominant fish or creature living in a pond.
おも (omo): This reading often means 'main,' 'principal,' or 'chief.' It is commonly found in adjective or adverbial forms.
主なおもな (omona) — main, principal. Used as a な-adjective to describe the primary characteristic or item, such as 主な理由おもなりゆう (main reason).
主におもに (omoni) — mainly, primarily. Functions as an adverb to indicate the primary focus or activity, for example, 主に働くおもにはたらく (to work mainly).
主だったおもだった (omodatta) — principal, prominent. This describes important or leading figures/elements, like 主だったメンバーおもだったメンバー (principal members).
つかさど-る (tsukasa-doru): This is a verb meaning 'to rule,' 'to govern,' 'to manage,' or 'to preside over.' It implies having control and responsibility.
国を司るくにをつかさどる (kuni o tsukasadoru) — to govern a country.
会議を司るかいぎをつかさどる (kaigi o tsukasadoru) — to preside over a meeting.
運命を司るうんめいをつかさどる (unmei o tsukasadoru) — to control destiny.

Common Words & Compounds

Familiarizing yourself with these common compounds will greatly improve your ability to recognize and use 主 in various contexts.

People and Roles:
主人しゅじん (shujin) — master, husband, owner (of a shop)
店主てんしゅ (tenshu) — shop owner
家主やぬし (yanushi) — landlord, house owner
持ち主もちぬし (mochinushi) — owner (of an object)
主役しゅやく (shuyaku) — main character, leading role
雇い主やといぬし (yatoinushi) — employer
Concepts and Importance:
主要しゅよう (shuyō) — main, principal, essential
主義しゅぎ (shugi) — doctrine, principle, -ism (e.g., 民主主義 'minshushugi' - democracy)
主張しゅちょう (shuchō) — claim, assertion, insistence
主語しゅご (shugo) — subject (grammar)
主体しゅたい (shutai) — subject, main constituent, central figure
主人公しゅじんこう (shujinkō) — protagonist, hero/heroine
Actions and States:
主におもに (omoni) — mainly, primarily (adverb)
主なおもな (omona) — main, principal (adjective form)

Example Sentences

あの店みせの主ぬしはとても親切しんせつです。

Ano mise no nushi wa totemo shinsetsu desu.

The owner of that shop is very kind.

この物語ものがたりの主役しゅやくは勇敢ゆうかんな少年しょうねんです。

Kono monogatari no shuyaku wa yūkan na shōnen desu.

The main character of this story is a brave boy.

私わたしの主人しゅじんは毎日まいにち会社かいしゃに行いきます。

Watashi no shujin wa mainichi kaisha ni ikimasu.

My husband goes to the office every day.

今日きょうの会議かいぎの主要しゅような議題ぎだいは新製品しんせいひんについてです。

Kyō no kaigi no shuyō na gidai wa shinseihin ni tsuite desu.

Today's main agenda topic is about the new product.

日本にほんの食事しょくじは主におもに米こめが中心ちゅうしんです。

Nihon no shokuji wa omoni kome ga chūshin desu.

Japanese meals are mainly centered around rice.

この家いえの持ち主もちぬしは、隣となりに住すんでいます。

Kono ie no mochinushi wa, tonari ni sunde imasu.

The owner of this house lives next door.

彼かれはいつも自分じぶんの意見いけんを主張しゅちょうします。

Kare wa itsumo jibun no iken o shuchō shimasu.

He always asserts his opinion.

彼かれは村むらの代表だいひょうとして、その会合かいごうを司つかさどりました。

Kare wa mura no daihyō to shite, sono kaigō o tsukasadorimashita.

As the village representative, he presided over the meeting.

哲学てつがくでは、主体しゅたいと客体きゃくたいの関係かんけいが重要じゅうようです。

Tetsugaku de wa, shutai to kyakutai no kankei ga jūyō desu.

In philosophy, the relationship between subject and object is important.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 主, imagine it as a simple drawing of a burning candle or a lamp. The single dot at the very top represents the bright, flickering flame, which is the 'main' source of light. The cross-like structure below forms the stand or base that holds the candle.

This candle serves as the 'master' of light in the room, the 'principal' item illuminating everything. Think of it as the 'owner' of brightness. The dot, being the 'head' or 'main' part, stands prominently above the support structure, embodying leadership and centrality.