主

zhǔ

亠 + 土

Definitions

zhǔ (noun) master; owner; host

zhǔ (adjective) main; principal

zhǔ (noun) Lord; God

zhǔ (verb) to indicate; to signify

Etymology

Pictograph of a memorial tablet used for spiritual rituals, similar to 示.

About

The character 主 is written with a dot 丶 placed above a component that now resembles 王 ('king'). Historically, it was a pictograph of a memorial tablet used to honor ancestors, similar in function to 示. The dot likely signified the spirit's presence. As the central object in rituals, the term's meaning shifted from the tablet to ideas of primacy and leadership. Now 主 denotes a master, owner, host, or the main element in any hierarchy or event.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

主人非常好客。

Zhǔrén fēicháng hàokè.

The host is very hospitable.

这是我的主要目标。

Zhè shì wǒ de zhǔyào mùbiāo.

This is my primary goal.

她主张和平解决争端。

Tā zhǔzhāng hépíng jiějué zhēngduān.

She advocates for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

这次会议主要由他负责。

Zhè cì huìyì zhǔyào yóu tā fùzé.

He is primarily responsible for this meeting.

他才是这个项目的主导者。

Tā cái shì zhège xiàngmù de zhǔdǎo zhě.

He is actually the leader of this project.

我们必须掌握自己的命运。

Wǒmen bìxū zhǎngwò zìjǐ de mìngyùn.

We must take control of our own destiny.

这位教授主要研究中国古代史。

Zhè wèi jiàoshòu zhǔyào yánjiū Zhōngguó gǔdài shǐ.

This professor primarily researches ancient Chinese history.

这场慈善晚会由她主持。

Zhè chǎng císhàn wǎnhuì yóu tā zhǔchí.

This charity gala is hosted by her.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 亠

Component: 土

主