主: the kanji for master and main
主 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means master, main. Below are its readings, 13 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
主 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
主 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 13 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シュ (shu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 主人しゅじん · shujin | husband; owner |
| 主婦しゅふ · shufu | homemaker |
| 主張しゅちょう · shuchō | claim; assertion |
| 主要しゅよう · shuyō | main; major |
| 主催しゅさい · shusai | sponsorship; hosting |
| 主義しゅぎ · shugi | principle; -ism |
| 民主みんしゅ · minshu | democracy |
| 株主かぶぬし · kabunushi | shareholder |
ス (su)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 坊主ぼうず · bōzu | Buddhist priest; shaved head |
ぬし (nushi)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 持ち主もちぬし · mochinushi | owner |
| 家主やぬし · yanushi | landlord |
おも (omo)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 主なおもな · omona | main; chief |
| 主におもに · omoni | mainly |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 主な仕事は営業です。Omona shigoto wa eigyō desu.My main job is sales.
- お客様は主にアジアの企業です。Okyakusama wa omoni Ajia no kigyō desu.Our clients are mainly Asian companies.
- このイベントは市が主催しています。Kono ibento wa shi ga shusai shite imasu.This event is hosted by the city.
- このかばんの持ち主を探しています。Kono kaban no mochinushi o sagashite imasu.I'm looking for the owner of this bag.
- 家主に家賃を払いました。Yanushi ni yachin o haraimashita.I paid the rent to the landlord.
- 株主総会は六月に開かれます。Kabunushi sōkai wa rokugatsu ni hirakaremasu.The shareholders' meeting is held in June.
Questions about 主
How many strokes does 主 have?
主 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 主?
The on readings are shu (シュ), su (ス). The kun readings are nushi (ぬし), omo (おも).
Is 株主 read kabushu or kabunushi?
It is kabunushi. 主 is read ぬし (nushi) when it means the one who owns something, as in 株主 (shareholder), 持ち主 (owner) and 家主 (landlord).
What JLPT level is 主?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
People and family
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 主
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.