Japanese word

店主

Pronunciation

Romajitenshu

Meaning

  • nounshopkeeper

Example

毎朝、店主は店を開けます。mai asa ten shu wa mise o a ke ma su

The shopkeeper opens the shop every morning.

Illustration for 店主 (shopkeeper)

More examples

旅行者たちは店主から町の見どころを教えてもらいました。ryo kō sha ta chi wa ten shu ka ra machi no mi do ko ro o oshi e te mo ra i ma shi ta

The travelers learned about the town's attractions from the shopkeeper.

Core concept

Refers to the person in charge of a shop, including responsibility for its operation and management.

Common phrases

  • 店主から聞くten shu ka ra ki ku

    hear from the shopkeeper

  • 店主に相談するten shu ni sō dan su ru

    consult the shopkeeper

Similar words

店長tenchō: A person responsible for managing a shop's daily work and staff.
商店主shōtenshu: The owner and operator of a shop that sells goods to customers.
主人shujin: The person who owns or manages a small traditional shop.

Definition in Japanese

店の経営者として営業や日々の仕事を管理する人。mise no kei ei sha to shi te ei gyō ya hi bi no shi goto o kan ri su ru hito

Word origin

店 (ten, "shop") combines with 主 (shu, "owner or master") to form 店主 (tenshu), meaning the person who oversees a shop.

Usage tips

  • In English, shopkeeper commonly includes the idea of owning or managing a shop, while a person who only works there is more often called a shop assistant or clerk.

Word lists with this word