1.
mistress; female proprietor; hostess
a woman who owns or runs an establishment such as a shop, inn, or restaurant, or the female head of a household
女主人が出迎えてくれた。
The mistress of the house came out to greet us.
その旅館の女主人はとても親切だった。
The female proprietor of the inn was very kind.
女主人が自ら料理を運んできて、一品ずつ丁寧に説明してくれた。
The female proprietor personally brought the dishes and explained each one carefully.
Used when specifically identifying the owner or head of an establishment or household as a woman. Common in literary contexts and when describing traditional Japanese businesses like 旅館 (Japanese inns) or 料亭 (high-end Japanese restaurants).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 旅館の女主人: the female proprietor of an inn
- 店の女主人: the female shop owner
- 女主人が切り盛りする: for the female proprietor to run (a business)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 女将: proprietress of a traditional inn or restaurant — more specific to the hospitality industry and carries connotations of traditional Japanese service
- 主人: master, proprietor — typically refers to a male owner or husband
- 亭主: husband, master of the house — informal, can also mean male innkeeper