How to say "proprietor" in Japanese

• 主あるじCommon
  nounCovers the head of a household and, by extension, the proprietor of a store; it can also mean a proprietress or landlord. A traditional, somewhat literary-sounding choice for the master of a place.
  この家いえのあるじは私だ。↗

  It is I who am head of this family.
• 主人しゅじんJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for the head of a household or the proprietor of a store or inn; it also covers a proprietress or landlord. Use it when speaking of the owner-keeper of a small business or establishment.
• 持ち主もちぬしCommon
  nounThe general word for the owner or possessor of something, and also of abstract things such as talent or beauty. Choose it when you mean whoever holds or owns an item, not someone running a business.
  この家いえの持ち主もちぬしは誰だれですか。↗

  Who is the owner of this house?
• 経営者けいえいしゃCommon
  nounRefers to the manager or proprietor of a business enterprise, stressing the running of it rather than ownership of objects. Use it in company or commercial contexts, such as discussing who runs a firm.
  これは経営者けいえいしゃの決定けっていだ。↗

  This was an executive decision.
• マスターJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA loanword used for the proprietor, manager or barkeeper of a small establishment, especially a bar or café, addressing or referring to the man behind the counter. Not the word for owners in general.

For a household head or storekeeper use 主 or 主人; for the legal owner of something use 「持ち主」; for a business manager/owner use 経営者; for a bar or shop host use 「マスター」.

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

• 主あるじhead (of a household)
• 主人しゅじんhead (of a household)
• 持ち主もちぬしowner
• 経営者けいえいしゃmanager
• マスターproprietor
• 主ぬしowner
• 主人公しゅじんこうhead (of a household)
• おやじproprietor (of a restaurant, store, etc.)