Japanese Conversation · Level 48
90 words
Japanese word
主人
Pronunciation
Romajishujin
Meaning
- nounhusband
Example
私の主人は家にいます。watashi no shu jin wa ie ni i ma su
My husband is at home.
More examples
私は主人に夕食の予定を伝えます。watashi wa shu jin ni yū shoku no yo tei o tsuta e ma su
I tell my husband about the dinner plans.
Core concept
Refers to the person seen as the principal figure in a household or business, including a husband or a proprietor.
Common phrases
主人の名前shu jin no na mae
husband's name
主人に相談するshu jin ni sō dan su ru
consult with one's husband
Similar words
夫otto: A husband, stated in a neutral and standard way.
旦那danna: A husband, often used in everyday speech or when referring to another person's husband.
Definition in Japanese
家族の暮らしや店の運営を担う中心人物、妻が自分の夫を指していう語。ka zoku no ku ra shi ya mise no un ei o nina u chū shin jin butsu tsuma ga ji bun no otto o sa shi te i u go
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound 主人 (shujin) joins 主 (shu, "main") with 人 (jin, "person") to denote the central person in a household or business.
Usage tips
- Because 主人 (shujin) marks a central household or business figure, context rather than the word alone distinguishes "husband" from "proprietor".
Other meanings
- head of the householdnoun
- proprietornoun
Opposites
- 妻tsumawifenoun