持(も)ち主(ぬし)

もちぬし

noun

owner, possessor

1. owner, possessor, holder

The person who owns or possesses something. Can refer to the owner of physical objects or the possessor of qualities or abilities.

この車(くるま)の持(も)ち主(ぬし)は誰(だれ)ですか。

Who is the owner of this car?

落(お)とし物(もの)の持(も)ち主(ぬし)が見(み)つかった。

The owner of the lost item was found.

彼女(かのじょ)は素晴(すば)らしい才能(さいのう)の持(も)ち主(ぬし)だ。

She is the possessor of wonderful talent.

持(も)ち主(ぬし) combines 持(も)ち (holding, from 持(も)つ) + 主(ぬし) (master, owner).

Common patterns

〜の持(も)ち主(ぬし): the owner of ~
落(お)とし物(もの)の持(も)ち主(ぬし): owner of lost property
才能(さいのう)の持(も)ち主(ぬし): person of talent
美声(びせい)の持(も)ち主(ぬし): person with a beautiful voice
不思議(ふしぎ)な力(ちから)の持(も)ち主(ぬし): possessor of mysterious power

Similar words

所有者(しょゆうしゃ): owner (formal, legal contexts, objects only)
オーナー: owner (business, loanword)

Usage

Unlike 所有者(しょゆうしゃ), which is limited to physical or legal ownership, 持(も)ち主(ぬし) is frequently used for personal qualities: 優(やさ)しい心(こころ)の持(も)ち主(ぬし) (a kind-hearted person).

Related Words

Compare: 所有者(しょゆうしゃ) (owner)

Compare: オーナー (owner)

Compare: 飼(か)い主(ぬし) (pet owner)

Compare: 保有者(ほゆうしゃ) (holder)

Compare: 共有者(きょうゆうしゃ) (co-owner)

Compare: 保持者(ほじしゃ) (holder (of a record, title, qualification))

general

Added 2026.2.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.10.10 3:21

10000/10439_mochinushi