Learn Chinese Characters

Meaning

to own; to host; master; lord; primary

Chinese: 主人、主要或主持。

Hear the Four Tones

The same syllable “zhu” becomes a different word in each tone. 主 is the 3rd tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.

Stroke Order

Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.

Common Words

  • 主要zhǔ yàomain; principal; major; primary
  • 主人zhǔ rénmaster; host; owner
  • 主任zhǔ rèndirector; head
  • 主动zhǔ dòngto take the initiative; to do sth of one's own accord; spontaneous; active
  • 主持zhǔ chíto take charge of; to manage or direct; to preside over; to uphold

Example Sentence

这家店的主人很热情。Zhè jiā diàn de zhǔ rén hěn rè qíng.The owner of this shop is very warm.

Zhèthisjiāhomediàninndeof主人zhǔ rénmasterhěnvery热情rè qíngcordial

Go deeper

Where this character comes from

A lamp on a stand with a flame (the top dot) burning steadily. From the steady central light it came to mean ‘host / master / the main one’.

A way to remember it

A steady flame on a stand — the master of the house.

Easy to confuse with

  • wáng‘King’: 主 without the dot on top.
  • ‘Jade’: the dot is inside, not on top.