主(あるじ)

あるじ
noun
master; owner; host
1. master; owner; head of household
The master or owner of a house, establishment, or domain. Carries a traditional, slightly formal or literary tone.
この城(しろ)の主(あるじ)は誰(だれ)だ。
Who is the lord of this castle?
店(みせ)の主(あるじ)が自(みずか)ら料理(りょうり)を運(はこ)んできた。
The shop owner personally brought the food.
主(あるじ)のいない屋敷(やしき)は、長年(ながねん)の間(あいだ)荒(あ)れ放題(ほうだい)だった。
The mansion without its master had been left to ruin for years.
2. host; one who entertains guests
The person who receives and entertains guests. Used in traditional or formal contexts.
宴(うたげ)の主(あるじ)が客(きゃく)を迎(むか)えた。
The host of the banquet greeted the guests.
主(あるじ)として客人(きゃくじん)をもてなす。
To entertain guests as the host.
茶会(ちゃかい)の主(あるじ)は、一(ひと)つ一(ひと)つの道具(どうぐ)に心(こころ)を込(こ)めて準備(じゅんび)した。
The host of the tea ceremony prepared each utensil with care.

A slightly literary or traditional word for 'master' or 'owner.' More formal and evocative than 主人(しゅじん), often used in storytelling, historical contexts, and descriptions of traditional settings.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 城(しろ)の主(あるじ) — lord of a castle
  • 店(みせ)の主(あるじ) — shop owner/proprietor
  • 屋敷(やしき)の主(あるじ) — master of the mansion
  • 宴(うたげ)の主(あるじ) — host of a feast
  • 主(あるじ)のいない — without its master/owner

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 主人(しゅじん) — master; husband; proprietor (more common in everyday speech)
  • 持(も)ち主(ぬし) — owner (of an object)
  • 飼(か)い主(ぬし) — pet owner
  • 家主(やぬし) — landlord

NOTE ON READINGS:
The kanji 主(あるじ) has several readings: あるじ (master/host — this entry), ぬし (owner, often in compounds like 持(も)ち主(ぬし)), and しゅ (on'yomi, in compounds like 主人(しゅじん)).

general
Added 2026.3.25 19:18
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