How to say "landlord" in Japanese

• 大家おおやJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe landlord or landlady of the house or apartment you rent — the owner you pay rent to. This is the word you want when talking about your own landlord.
  その大家おおやは以前いぜんは暮らし向くらしむきがよかったそうだ。↗

  They say the landlord used to be well off.
• 家主やぬしJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe owner of the house or room one rents — essentially another name for the landlord, close to 大家. Use either when speaking of the person you pay rent to.
  家主やぬしは彼かれがドアを赤あかく塗ぬることを許ゆるしてくれない。↗

  The landlord won't permit him to paint the door red.
• 地主じぬしJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA landowner — someone who owns land. Its 'landlord' sense is an owner who leases land to others, so it is not the word for the landlord of your apartment; use 大家 for that.
  その地主じぬしは以前いぜんかなり裕福ゆうふくな暮くらしをしていた。↗

  The landlord used to be quite well off.
• 管理者かんりしゃCommon
  nounMeans a manager or administrator; when it means landlord, it is the person who manages a building or property and need not own it. For the owner you pay rent to, use 大家.
  仕事場しごとばの管理者かんりしゃは、正確せいかくさ、効率性こうりつせい、献身けんしんを期待きたいする。↗

  Office managers expect accuracy, efficiency, and dedication.
• 主あるじCommon
  nounMeans the head of a household or the proprietor of a store; as 'landlord' it really means the master of a house. Seldom the word for someone you pay rent to — use 大家.
  この家いえのあるじは私だ。↗

  It is I who am head of this family.

Use 大家 or 家主 for the landlord you rent a house or apartment from, 地主 for a landowner who leases land out, 管理者 for the person who manages a property, and 主 only for a master or proprietor.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 大家おおやlandlord
• 家主やぬしlandlord
• 地主じぬしlandowner
• 管理者かんりしゃmanager
• 主あるじhead (of a household)
• 主人しゅじんhead (of a household)
• 大家さんおおやさんlandlord
• 貸し主かしぬしlender
• 宿主しゅくしゅlandlord
• おやじproprietor (of a restaurant, store, etc.)