Meanings of 主人
By ear
Play it, then pick what 主人 means.
About 主人
Podcast: 主人
Podcast: 主人
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 主人
主人 (master) vs 主 (owner) — use 主 when emphasizing the role of ownership without the connotation of authority or respect that 主人 carries.
It's important to use '主人' in appropriate contexts to avoid sounding overly formal or disrespectful. Common collocations include '主人家' (host family) and '主人翁' (master of the house). Beware of tone errors; the correct tones are crucial for meaning.
As an HSK 5 vocabulary word, '主人' connects to themes of relationships and social roles. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts, such as hospitality or ownership, and practice forming sentences around these themes.
Learners often confuse '主人' with '主人公' (protagonist). While both involve a sense of 'master,' the latter specifically refers to a leading character in a story. Ensure you use '主人' when discussing ownership or hosting.
Pronunciation of 主人
Drill the tone of 主人, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 主人 to you
Let me explain 主人 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 主人 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 主人?
Learning Lab
Knowing 主人 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say master in Chinese
“master” in Chinese is主人
The term '主人' (zhǔrén) refers to a master, host, or owner of something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone has authority or ownership over a property, event, or group. The nuance of the word conveys respect and acknowledgment of someone's role or status.
When to use 主人
It's important to use '主人' in appropriate contexts to avoid sounding overly formal or disrespectful. Common collocations include '主人家' (host family) and '主人翁' (master of the house). Beware of tone errors; the correct tones are crucial for meaning.
主人 or something close to it
主人 (master) vs 主 (owner) — use 主 when emphasizing the role of ownership without the connotation of authority or respect that 主人 carries.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '主人' with '主人公' (protagonist). While both involve a sense of 'master,' the latter specifically refers to a leading character in a story. Ensure you use '主人' when discussing ownership or hosting.
Write 主人
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 主人 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 主人
主人 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这辆车必须归还给真正的____。
The car must be returned to its rightful owner.
Example sentences for 主人 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 主人?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 主人
'主人' typically refers to human ownership or authority, so it's not commonly used for inanimate objects.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 主人?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.