Translation and Meaning of: 主 - aruji

If you've ever watched an anime or read a manga, you've probably come across the word 主 (あるじ, aruji). But what does it really mean? In this article, we will explore this word in depth, which carries meanings such as master, chief, lord, and even husband. Here, you will discover its etymology, how the kanji was created, tips for memorization, and even how it appears in real contexts in Japan. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition program, don't worry: we will include practical examples to boost your studies!

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 主

The kanji 主 has an interesting history. It is composed of the radical 丶 (a dot, which symbolizes something small or essential) and the radical 王 (king, sovereign). Together, they convey the idea of "someone who holds central power," like a leader or authority figure. In ancient China, this character was used to represent the flame of a candle, something that illuminates and guides — a perfect metaphor for those in command.

In Japan, the term あるじ (aruji) emerged during the Heian period (794–1185), when it referred to the owner of a house or head of the family. Over time, its meaning expanded to include employers, landlords, and even husbands. Interestingly, in feudal contexts, 主 could also indicate a feudal lord, one who governed lands and serfs. It is no wonder that this kanji appears in words like 主人 (shujin, "master" or "husband") and 主催 (shusai, "organizer").

Modern Usage and Cultural Contexts

Nowadays, 主 (aruji) is still used, but in more specific situations. For example, in traditional Japanese inns (ryokan), the owner of the establishment may be referred to as あるじ. In animes and dramas, you will hear this word when a character refers to the "master of the house" or the "chief" of a group. And yes, it can also be used affectionately to refer to a husband, especially in older or more formal contexts.

A curious detail: 主 is not as common in modern daily life as 主人 (shujin), but it still appears in fixed expressions and titles. For example, in 地主 (jinushi), which means "landowner", or 主役 (shuyaku), the "main role" in a play or movie. If you want to sound natural in Japanese, pay attention to these contexts — they reveal a lot about hierarchy and respect in Japanese culture.

Tips for Memorizing and Applying

Memorizing kanji can be a challenge, but 主 has an advantage: its stroke is simple and its meaning is visual. Think of it as a flame (the upper dot) that commands (the radical for "king"). One technique that works well is to associate it with words you already know, like 主人 (shujin) or 主婦 (shufu, "housewife"). Another tip? Use flashcards with practical sentences, such as "この家の主はだれですか？" (Kono ie no aruji wa dare desu ka?, "Who is the owner of this house?").

And if you like puns, how about remembering that 主 looks like a "king" with a small crown (the dot)? Jokes aside, the best way to fix this word in your mind is to see it in action. Watch scenes of samurais or period dramas where あるじ is frequently used. After a while, your brain will naturally associate the kanji with the idea of leadership — and you won't even need to memorize it.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 主人 (shujin) - Husband or owner (can refer to a master in older contexts)
• ご主人 (goshujin) - Husband; also used respectfully to refer to the owner of a house or business.
• 主要 (shuyou) - Principal, important
• 主役 (shuyaku) - Main character (in a play, movie, etc.)
• 主演 (shuen) - Act as the main character (in a movie or play)
• 主導 (shudo) - Leadership, mastery
• 主体 (shutai) - Main entity, main body
• 主題 (shudai) - Theme, main subject
• 主力 (shuriki) - Main force, driving force
• 主任 (shunin) - Head or leader of a department
• 主任者 (shuninsha) - Person responsible or leader

主

Romaji: aruji
Kana: あるじ
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: master; head (of a household); landlord; husband; employer; host

Meaning in English: master;head (of a household);landlord;one's husband;employer;host

Definition: The center or center of things.

Example Sentences - (主) aruji

See below some example sentences:

専制主義は民主主義とは対極にある。

Senshoku shugi wa minshu shugi to wa taikyoku ni aru

Despotism is opposite to democracy.

The tube is the opposite of democracy.

• 専制主義 - political system in which power is exercised in an absolute way by a single person or group
• 民主主義 - political system in which power is exercised by the people, through elections and popular participation
• 対極 - opposite, contrary
• にある - to be in, to be present in

投票は民主主義の基本です。

Touhyou wa minshu shugi no kihon desu

Voting is fundamental to democracy.

Voting is the foundation of democracy.

• 投票 (touhyou) - vote
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 民主主義 (minshu shugi) - democracy
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 基本 (kihon) - Base, foundation
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

日本の領土は四つの主要な島と多くの小さな島々から成り立っています。

Nihon no ryōdo wa yottsu no shuyōna shima to ōku no chīsana shimatō kara narimatte imasu

The territory of Japan consists of four main islands and many small islands.

• 日本の領土 - "territory of Japan"
• 四つの主要な島 - "four main islands"
• と - "and"
• 多くの小さな島々 - "many small islands"
• から成り立っています - "consists of"

私は自由主義者です。

Watashi wa jiyū shugisha desu

I am a liberal.

I am a liberalist.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 自由主義者 (jiyuu shugi sha) - "リベラル" (riberaru) é a palavra em japonês para "liberal".
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese

私は民主党の支持者です。

Watashi wa Minshutō no shijisha desu

I am a supporter of the Democratic Party.

I am a Democratic defender.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 民主党 (minshutou) - "Democratic Party"
• の (no) - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 支持者 (shijisha) - It means "supporter" or "sympathizer" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the existence or identity of something or someone

私の祖父は地主です。

Watashi no sofu wa jinushi desu

My grandfather is a landowner.

My grandfather is the landowner.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 地主 - noun that means "landowner" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or a description

私の家主はとても親切です。

Watashi no kashu wa totemo shinsetsu desu

My owner is very kind.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 家主 - noun that means "homeowner"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the homeowner"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 親切 - adjective meaning "kind"
• です - verb that indicates "to be", in this case, "is"

自主性を持つことが大切です。

Jishusei wo motsu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to have autonomy.

It is important to have independence.

• 自主性 (jishusei) - autonomy, independence
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持つ (motsu) - possess, have
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - verb to be, to be (polite form)

出口はどこですか？

Deguchi wa doko desu ka?

Where's the exit?

• 出口 - means "exit" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• どこ - means "where" in Japanese.
• です - It is an auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence.
• か - It is a grammatical particle that indicates a question.