主人
zhǔ rén HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他是这只狗的主人。
Tā shì zhè zhī gǒu de zhǔrén.
He is the owner of this dog.
主人请我们吃饭。
Zhǔrén qǐng wǒmen chīfàn.
The host invited us to eat.
房子的主人不在家。
Fángzi de zhǔrén bù zàijiā.
The owner of the house is not at home.
他是主人。
Tā shì zhǔrén.
He is the host.
主人很友好。
Zhǔrén hěn yǒuhǎo.
The owner is very friendly.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the characters: 主 (zhǔ) means 'main' or 'primary,' and 人 (rén) means 'person.' Think of the 'main person' in charge—like the owner of a house or the host at a party. Associate it with scenarios where someone is clearly in control or welcoming others.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and used in both spoken and written Chinese. Common contexts include referring to pet owners (e.g., 狗的主人), homeowners, hosts at social events, or in stories involving masters and servants. It's versatile but context-dependent.

📖 Grammar Points

主人 is often used in possessive structures like [Something] + 的 + 主人 (e.g., 农场的主人). It can also be the subject in sentences (主人来了 - The host is here) or object (尊重主人 - Respect the host).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In traditional Chinese culture, 主人 implies a sense of responsibility and hospitality; a good host (主人) is expected to be gracious and attentive to guests. Historically, it denoted a master-servant relationship, which carries less prominence in modern egalitarian contexts but may appear in literature or formal settings.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar words include 老板 (lǎobǎn, boss/employer, more business-focused) and 东道主 (dōngdàozhǔ, host for an event or competition, more formal). 主人 emphasizes ownership or a welcoming role, while 老板 is about managerial authority, and 东道主 is specific to hosting duties.

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