主人

• Pinyin: zhǔ rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 主 = a candle flame on a stand, symbolising the central/main thing; 人 = pictograph of a standing person

Meaning

Host; owner; master. The person who owns or is in charge of something.

Can refer to the owner of a house, pet, or business; a host of a party or gathering; or the master/owner in a broader sense. Also used figuratively to mean 'master of one's own fate.' The counterpart is 客人 (guest).

Examples

1. 小狗一看到主人就摇尾巴。 The puppy wags its tail as soon as it sees its owner.
2. 这家餐厅的主人很热情。 The owner of this restaurant is very warm and welcoming.
3. 请进，我是这里的主人。 Please come in — I am the host here.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social

Tone: informational

Do Say

• 这只猫的主人是谁？(Who is the owner of this cat?)
• 主人请客人们坐下。(The host asked the guests to sit down.)

Don't Say

• 我是这个学校的主人。(Don't use 主人 for institutions where you are a member or student — say 校长 for principal or 学生 for student. 主人 implies personal ownership.)

Origin & History

Compound of 主 (main/primary/master) and 人 (person), literally 'main person.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal