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March 24, 2026
主zhǔ(zhu3)
The character 主 (zhǔ) primarily means 'master' or 'owner,' and can refer to someone in authority or control, such as a host or a leader. It is commonly used in various contexts, including ownership of objects, positions of power, and even in religious references to God or deities.
Strokes5Radical丶Frequency#997DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a 主 (zhǔ) often extends beyond ownership to include familial and social hierarchies, reflecting the importance of respect and roles within families and communities.
Memory Tip
Imagine a grand house where the 主 (zhǔ) stands at the door, welcoming guests and holding the keys to every room. The roof of the house represents the character's top stroke, while the vertical line suggests a person standing tall as the master of their domain.
Meanings of 主
zhǔ(zhu3)
1owner
2master
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 主
主Simplified
5Strokes
丶Radical
区别词distinguishing word (dist.)Part of Speech
#997Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 主
Podcast: 主
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AI Study Notes for 主
Quick Contrast
主人 (zhǔrén, host/owner) vs 主人公 (zhǔréngōng, protagonist) — use 主 when referring to the role of authority or ownership, while 主人公 specifically denotes the main character in a narrative.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a grand house where the 主 (zhǔ) stands at the door, welcoming guests and holding the keys to every room. The roof of the house represents the character's top stroke, while the vertical line suggests a person standing tall as the master of their domain.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 主 with similar characters like 主人 (zhǔrén), which means 'host' or 'master of the house.' Be mindful of the tone; the third tone (zhǔ) is crucial for correct pronunciation. This character is used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
While 主 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects to basic vocabulary related to roles and relationships. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and collocations, such as 主人 (owner) and 主要 (main/primary), to grasp its versatility.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a 主 (zhǔ) often extends beyond ownership to include familial and social hierarchies, reflecting the importance of respect and roles within families and communities.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly pronounce '主' with the second tone, saying 'zhú', which alters its meaning entirely. Another common error is confusing '主' with '助' (zhù), which means 'to assist.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 主
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Grammar Patterns of 主
主 carries 10 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
There were also several accidents mainly caused by engine failures on take-off.
7
她的梦想是主持一档电视时尚生活节目。
tā de mèng xiǎng shì zhǔ chí yī dàng diàn shì shí shàng shēng huó jié mù。
Her dream is to present a lifestyle show on television.
8
雇主以种族或国籍为由歧视员工是非法的。
gù zhǔ yǐ zhǒng zú huò guó jí wéi yóu qí shì yuán gōng shì fēi fǎ de。
Discrimination by employers on the grounds of race and nationality was illegal.
9
他天生擅长交际：他的祖先曾是封建领主。
tā tiān shēng shàn cháng jiāo jì： ： tā de zǔ xiān zēng shì fēng jiàn lǐng。
Diplomacy was in his blood: his ancestors had been feudal lords.
10
帕特是我们全家人的主心骨。
pà tè shì wǒ mén quán jiā rén de zhǔ xīn gǔ。
Pat was a tower of strength to our whole family.
Cultural Notes for 主
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of a '主' (master) extends beyond ownership to indicate authority and control in various social roles, including family and community leadership.
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a 主 (zhǔ) often extends beyond ownership to include familial and social hierarchies, reflecting the importance of respect and roles within families and communities.
Word Family of 主
Compounds25
住zhu4to live
注zhu4to inject
往wang3to go (in a direction)
柱zhu4pillar
驻zhu4to halt
蛀zhu4termite, bookworm; to bore, to eat into
拄zhu3to lean on
炷zhu4candle wick; incense
註zhu4to concentrate, to focus
妵
砫
麈zhu3a species of deer
黈
宔
樦
殶
疰zhu4
紸
罜
跓
軴
迬
鉒
飳
駐zhu4stable; station, garrison
Words Containing This Character20
主要zhǔyàomain
主意zhǔyiplan
主zhǔowner
主人zhǔrénmaster
主题zhǔtítheme主題
主任zhǔrèndirector
主席zhǔxíchairperson
社会主义shèhuìzhǔyìsocialism社會主義
公主gōngzhǔprincess
主动zhǔdòngactive主動
主管zhǔguǎnin charge
主义zhǔyì-ism主義
主持人zhǔchírénhost
民主mínzhǔdemocracy
主持zhǔchíto take charge of
主角zhǔjuélead
为主wéizhǔto rely mainly on為主
毛主席Chairman Mao
自主zìzhǔindependent
主体zhǔtǐbulk主體
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 住 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 主
主 (zhǔ) means 'owner' or 'master,' while 主要 (zhǔyào) translates to 'main' or 'primary.' 主 focuses on ownership or authority, whereas 主要 is used to describe something that is of primary importance or significance in a broader context.
In Chinese culture, 主 (zhǔ) often implies respect and authority, especially when referring to figures such as family heads or leaders. It is also used in phrases that emphasize one's role or position, reflecting the importance of hierarchy in social relationships.
主 (zhǔ) translates to 'owner,' 'master,' or 'host' in English. It can refer to a person who has control or authority over something, or it can denote the main subject in a discussion. Additionally, it is used in a religious context to refer to God or a Lord.
To use 主 (zhǔ) in a sentence, you can say, '他是这个项目的主' (Tā shì zhège xiàngmù de zhǔ), which means 'He is the owner of this project.' This demonstrates how the character can denote a person's role or authority in a specific context.
'主' is used in phrases like '主人' (zhǔrén) for 'owner' or 'host' and '主要' (zhǔyào) for 'main' or 'primary.'
Yes, '主' can refer to God or a deity, often found in religious texts or discussions.
'主' is pronounced with a third tone (zhǔ), so make sure to lower your voice before rising.
