Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| オーナー | ōnā | [o̞ːna̠ː] (narrow) |
| 持ち主 | mochinushi | [mo̞t͡ɕinɯ̟ɕi] (narrow) |
| 所有者 | shoyūsha | [ɕo̞jɯ̟ːɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 主人 | shujin | [ɕɨʑĩɴ] (narrow) |
In Japanese, the choice of word for 'owner' depends heavily on what is being owned and the context of the conversation. Use 持ち主 for the owner of a physical object, such as a lost item. Use オーナー when referring to the owner of a business like a shop, restaurant or hotel. Use 所有者 when discussing legal ownership or possession. While 主人 can mean the owner of a house or a pet, it is more commonly used to mean 'husband' or 'master' in a hierarchical context.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 持ち主 is composed of the verb stem 持ち, meaning to hold or possess and 主, meaning master or owner.
Which one should you use?
持ち主 is the most natural way to refer to the owner of a lost object, such as a wallet. オーナー is often used specifically for business owners. 所有者 is a more formal, legalistic term for an owner or possessor. 主人 can mean 'owner' of a house or pet, but it is more commonly used to mean 'husband' or 'master' in a hierarchical sense.
How do you pronounce it?
ōnā
What mistakes should you avoid?
The word 主人 can also refer to a husband.
Did you know?
- In the context of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, the person hosting the event is called the 主人, regardless of whether they own the property.
- The word 主人 originally referred to a master or lord in a feudal social hierarchy, reflecting a historical structure of ownership and service.
- While 主人 can mean 'owner', it is also a traditional way for a wife to refer to her own husband, though this usage is declining among younger generations.
Examples in context
- オーナーだよ。I'm the owner.This sentence is useful for identifying oneself as the オーナー.Tatoeba #10760509 by small_snow, translation #3412975 by CK
- あなたが持ち主です。You're the owner.This sentence is useful for identifying someone else as the 持ち主.Tatoeba #4898026 by huizi99, translation #2218432 by CK
- 彼があの車の持ち主ですか。Is he the owner of that car?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is the 持ち主 of a specific car.Tatoeba #121117 by small_snow, translation #282890 by CK
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is asking about the owner of a nearby cafe.
- 大翔 Hirotoあのお店は誰がオーナーなの？Ano omise wa dare ga oonaa nano?Who is the owner of that shop?
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんの知り合いがオーナーだよ。Hiroto-san no shiriai ga oonaa dayo.An acquaintance of Hiroto is the owner.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんだ。いいオーナーだよね。Sou nanda. Ii oonaa dayone.I see. They are a good owner, aren't they?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、とても親切なオーナーだよ。Un, totemo shinsetsu na oonaa dayo.Yes, they are a very kind owner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owner” translations and entries オーナー, 持ち主, 所有者, 主人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
