持ち主・持主|もちぬしmochinushi[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
持ち主持ち主（もちぬし） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; it can refer to an owner, proprietor, or possessor.
持主持主 is a less common variant written entirely in kanji; beginners should generally choose 持ち主 instead.
Definitions
- nounowner; proprietor; possessor (e.g. of talent, beauty, etc.)この家の持ち主は誰ですか。↗Who is the owner of this house?
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym所有者しょゆうしゃWrittenWritten/formal prose. The legal term for an owner; 「持ち主」 is the everyday word, as in 「落とし物の持ち主」.
- SynonymオーナーNeutralNeutral. A loanword for the owner of a shop, company or ballclub; 「持ち主」 is for owners of ordinary things.
- Synonym所持者しょじしゃWrittenWritten/formal prose. A person who holds a licence or an item; 「持ち主」 centres on the owner of a thing.
- Synonym所有主しょゆうぬしWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means the owner of a thing; everyday speech prefers 「持ち主」.
- Synonym保有者ほゆうしゃWrittenWritten/formal prose. A holder of shares, qualifications or records; 「持ち主」 is mainly for owners of things.
- Related占有者せんゆうしゃWrittenWritten/formal prose. In law, one who actually holds or occupies something, not necessarily the owner; 「持ち主」 is the owner.
Use 「持ち主」 for the everyday owner of a thing, as in 「才能の持ち主」. In legal or written prose use 「所有者」; for holders of licences, shares or records 「所持者」/「保有者」; for shop or team owners 「オーナー」; 「占有者」 need not own it.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- その物を所有している人。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
