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). It refers to the owner of objects or the possessor of qualities and abilities.

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:

  • 持(も)ち主(ぬし): owner (everyday, also for abstract qualities)
  • 所有者(しょゆうしゃ): owner (formal, legal contexts, objects only)
  • オーナー: owner (business, loanword)

NOTE:
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)しさの持(も)ち主(ぬし) (a kind person).

general
Added 2026.2.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.3.30 11:16
10000/10439_mochinushi