オーナー

• Reading: オーナー
• Romaji: oonaa
• Pronunciation: /oː.naː/

Meaning

Owner, especially of a business. The person who owns and often oversees a shop, restaurant, or company.

A katakana loanword from English 'owner.' Used primarily for business owners — restaurant オーナー, shop オーナー, franchise オーナー. Distinct from 持ち主 (owner of an object) and 所有者 (legal owner/possessor). Often implies hands-on involvement in the business.

Examples

1. あのカフェのオーナーは元シェフらしい。 Apparently the owner of that cafe is a former chef.
2. オーナーが自ら接客するアットホームなレストランだ。 It's a cozy restaurant where the owner personally waits on tables.
3. フランチャイズのオーナーになるには、まとまった資金が必要だ。 You need a substantial amount of capital to become a franchise owner.

Usage Guide

Context: business, restaurants, real estate

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From English 'owner.' Adopted into Japanese business vocabulary during the post-war economic growth period.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal