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A2 noun #2,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

주인

Q: How do I ask 'Who is the owner?'

You say '주인이 누구예요?'

ju-in Top 2,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 주인 en 30 secondes

Explication 주인 in your Level:

At the A1 level, 주인 is introduced as a simple word for 'owner.' Learners focus on basic ownership of everyday items and pets. You will see it in sentences like 'Who is the owner of this dog?' or 'I am the owner of this bag.' The focus is on the basic [Noun] + [Particle] structure. It is a concrete noun used to identify people in relation to things they possess. Vocabulary is limited to common pairings like 강아지 주인 (dog owner) and 가게 주인 (shop owner). The goal is to understand that this person is the 'boss' of that object or animal.

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At the A2 level, 주인 expands to include social roles, particularly the 집주인 (landlord). Learners begin to understand the social dynamics of renting and small business interactions. You learn that while 주인 means owner, you should use 사장님 when talking to them. You also start encountering the word in compound forms like 주인공 (main character) in the context of hobbies like watching dramas or reading books. The focus is on using the word in slightly more complex sentences, such as 'I need to call the landlord because the sink is broken.'

At the B1 level, 주인 takes on a more functional role in intermediate communication. You learn to use it in contexts like lost and found (분실물 센터), where finding the 주인 is the primary goal. You also begin to understand the concept of 주인 의식 (ownership mindset), which is common in Korean work culture. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 주인 and more formal terms like 소유자 or 임대인. You understand that 주인 implies a level of responsibility and personal connection that technical terms lack.

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At the B2 level, 주인 is used in abstract and metaphorical contexts. You might discuss being the 'master of your own life' or the 'owner of your emotions.' The word appears in discussions about social responsibility and citizenship—the idea that the citizens are the 주인 of a country (국민이 나라의 주인이다). You are expected to use the word fluently in debates about property rights, pet ownership ethics, and literary analysis of a 주인공's motivations. The nuance of 'agency' becomes more important than 'possession.'

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At the C1 level, 주인 is analyzed through its Hanja roots and historical development. You explore how the term has shifted from a master-servant context to a modern democratic context. You use the word in complex legal, philosophical, and political discussions. For instance, analyzing the 'sovereignty' (주권) of a nation, which literally means the 'power of the owner/master.' You can differentiate between subtle synonyms in academic writing and understand the cultural weight the word carries in Korean collectivism versus individualism.

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At the C2 level, 주인 is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it to discuss the 'ontological ownership' of existence or engage in deep literary criticism regarding the 'death of the author' where the reader becomes the 주인 of the text. You understand archaic usages in classical literature and can navigate the most complex honorific shifts when the word is used in high-level diplomatic or corporate settings. Your mastery includes the ability to use the word's various connotations to add layers of meaning to your speech and writing.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

주인 en 30 secondes

주인 (ju-in) means 'owner' or 'master' in Korean, used for property, pets, and businesses.
It is the root of '주인공' (ju-ingong), which means the main character or protagonist of a story.
While it means owner, address shopkeepers as '사장님' (Sajang-nim) for better politeness and social etiquette.
Common compounds include '집주인' (landlord) and '주인 의식' (a sense of responsibility or ownership).

The Korean word 주인 (ju-in) is a foundational noun derived from the Hanja characters 主 (master/main) and 人 (person). At its core, it refers to an individual who possesses legal or moral authority over an object, a place, or even a living being. In the context of the CEFR A2 level, learners primarily encounter this word when discussing ownership of shops, houses, or pets. However, the semantic breadth of 주인 extends far beyond simple possession, touching upon themes of responsibility, leadership, and central agency within a narrative or social structure.

Legal Ownership: Refers to the person who holds the title to property, such as a 집주인 (landlord/house owner) or 땅주인 (landowner).
Commercial Context: In small businesses or traditional markets, the 주인 is the proprietor who manages the daily operations, often synonymous with 사장님 but with a more personal, 'master of the house' nuance.
Relational Authority: In the context of pets, 주인 is the human companion. While modern terms like 반려인 (companion person) are rising, 주인 remains the most common way to describe a dog or cat's owner.

이 식당의 주인은 정말 친절하십니다. (The owner of this restaurant is truly kind.)

Understanding 주인 requires recognizing its dual nature: it is both a status and a role. As a status, it denotes who has the final say. As a role, it implies a duty to care for what is owned. For instance, a 주인 of a garden is not just the person who bought the land, but the one who ensures the flowers bloom. This nuance is why the word is also the root for 주인공 (protagonist), the 'master' of the story's progress.

강아지가 주인을 보고 꼬리를 흔들어요. (The puppy sees its owner and wags its tail.)

Historically, 주인 was used in the master-servant hierarchy. While those social structures have dissolved, the linguistic DNA remains in how the word conveys a sense of ultimate responsibility. In a modern apartment setting, you might hear 집주인 frequently when discussing contracts or repairs. In these cases, the word is strictly functional, identifying the party responsible for the building's upkeep.

물건의 주인을 찾고 있습니다. (We are looking for the owner of the item.)

Metaphorical Usage: One can be the 주인 of their own life (자기 삶의 주인), meaning they take full control and responsibility for their choices.

우리는 우리 운명의 주인입니다. (We are the masters of our own destiny.)

Finally, the word appears in various compound forms that are essential for daily life. 주인 의식 (ownership mentality) is a common phrase in Korean corporate culture, encouraging employees to work with the same dedication as if they owned the company. This highlights that being a 주인 is as much about mindset as it is about legal papers.

모든 직원이 주인 의식을 가지고 일합니다. (All employees work with a sense of ownership.)

Using 주인 correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the social etiquette surrounding it. As a noun, it functions like any other Korean noun, taking particles such as -이/가 (subject), -을/를 (object), and -의 (possessive). However, because it often refers to people, the level of honorifics applied to the surrounding verbs is crucial for natural-sounding Korean.

Identifying Ownership: To say 'The owner of X,' use the pattern [Object] + 의 + 주인. For example, 이 가방의 주인 (The owner of this bag).
Addressing Owners: While 주인 means owner, you rarely call someone '주인!' to get their attention. Instead, use 주인 아주머니 (Owner-auntie), 주인 아저씨 (Owner-uncle), or the more professional 사장님.
Honorifics: When speaking about an owner with respect, use 주인분 (the owner person) or 주인님 (Master/Lord - though this is mostly for pets, historical contexts, or specific service industries).

In formal writing or legal documents, you might see 소유자 (owner/possessor) instead of 주인. 주인 is more colloquial and carries a warmer, more personal connotation. For instance, a lost dog's flyer will almost always use 주인 because it implies a bond, whereas a car registration document will use 소유자.

When combined with verbs, 주인 often pairs with 찾다 (to look for), 바뀌다 (to change), or 나타나다 (to appear). If a shop changes hands, Koreans say 주인이 바뀌었어요. If someone finds a wallet, they say 주인을 찾아줘야 해요 (I must find the owner).

In the context of 'mastery,' 주인 is used to describe someone who has achieved total control over a skill or their own emotions. This is less about legal possession and more about spiritual or professional dominance. For example, 마음의 주인 (master of one's heart) refers to someone who is not swayed by external circumstances.

You will encounter 주인 in several distinct environments in Korea. The most common is the residential sector. If you are renting a room or an apartment (One-room/Officetel), the person you pay rent to is the 집주인. You will hear this word in conversations with real estate agents (부동산) or when discussing utility bills.

Another frequent setting is the neighborhood convenience store or small restaurant. While 사장님 is the standard address, customers might talk about the owner using 주인. For example, '이 집 주인은 인심이 좋아요' (The owner of this place is generous). This usage emphasizes the owner's character and their personal touch on the establishment.

In Korean media, particularly K-Dramas, the 주인공 (protagonist) is a word you'll hear in every behind-the-scenes interview or variety show. Fans will discuss who the 남자 주인공 (male lead) or 여자 주인공 (female lead) is. This is a vital vocabulary word for anyone following Korean entertainment.

In the digital world, specifically on social media or blogs, people often refer to themselves as the 주인 of their page. A blog owner might be called 블로그 주인 or 방장 (room master) in a chat room. Even in gaming, the leader of a guild or the owner of a specific high-level item is referred to using variations of this term.

Finally, in nature documentaries or pet-related content (like the famous show 'Animal Farm'), the word 주인 is used constantly to describe the relationship between humans and animals. You'll hear phrases like 주인을 기다리는 강아지 (a dog waiting for its owner), which evokes a strong emotional response in Korean culture.

One of the most common mistakes for learners is using 주인 as a direct form of address. In English, you might say 'Excuse me, owner?' but in Korean, saying '주인님!' to a shopkeeper sounds like you are a servant from a Joseon-era drama or that you are in a very specific role-playing scenario. Always default to 사장님 or 저기요 (Excuse me) in commercial settings.

Another mistake is confusing 주인 with 남편 (husband). In some older dialects or very traditional households, a wife might refer to her husband as 바깥주인 (outside master) and herself as 안주인 (inside master). However, using 우리 주인 to mean 'my husband' in modern Seoul is outdated and can lead to confusion or amusement among younger speakers.

Learners also often confuse 주인 with 임대인 (lessor). While a 집주인 is the landlord, in a legal contract, the term 임대인 is used. If you are speaking casually, 주인 is fine, but if you are reading a lease agreement, look for 임대인. Conversely, the tenant is 임차인, not 'guest' (손님).

There is also a nuance difference between 주인 and 소유자. 소유자 is strictly 'the person who owns the title.' You wouldn't call a dog's owner a 개 소유자 in conversation; it sounds like a police report. Use 주인 for living things and personal items, and 소유자 for high-value assets like cars, buildings, or stocks in a formal context.

To truly master 주인, you must distinguish it from its synonyms and related terms. The most frequent synonym is 사장 (Sajang). While 주인 emphasizes the fact of ownership, 사장 emphasizes the role of a 'president' or 'manager' of a business. A person can be the 주인 of a building but not the 사장 of the business operating inside it.

소유자 (Soyuja) is the legal term for an owner. It is used in official documents, insurance, and law. It lacks the emotional or social connection that 주인 carries. For example, 'The owner of this land' is 토지 소유자 in a legal sense, but 땅주인 in a neighborhood dispute.

임대인 (Imdaein) specifically refers to a landlord—someone who owns property and leases it to others. This is a technical term used in real estate. Its counterpart is 임차인 (tenant). In daily life, most people just say 집주인 instead of 임대인.

주인공 (Juingong) means protagonist or hero. While it contains the word 주인, it is a fixed noun. You cannot simply say 주인 when you mean the main character of a movie; you must use the full word 주인공. However, you can say '이 영화의 주인은 관객이다' (The masters of this movie are the audience) for poetic effect.

가주 (Gaju) is a more formal or literary term for the 'head of the family' or 'master of the house.' You will mostly see this in historical novels or genealogy records. In modern life, 가장 (head of household) is more common for the person who supports the family financially.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Noun + 의 (Possessive)

Honorific -시- in verbs

Indirect quotation -고 하다

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Exemples par niveau

이 개 주인이 누구예요?

Who is the owner of this dog?

Subject marker -이 used with 주인.

저는 이 가방 주인이에요.

I am the owner of this bag.

Polite ending -이에요.

가게 주인이 친절해요.

The shop owner is kind.

Adjective 친절하다 describes the owner.

주인을 찾아요.

I am looking for the owner.

Object marker -을 used with 주인.

우리 집 주인이 아니에요.

He is not the owner of our house.

Negative form -이/가 아니에요.

주인 이름이 뭐예요?

What is the owner's name?

Possessive implied by context.

고양이 주인이 왔어요.

The cat's owner came.

Past tense verb 오다 -> 왔어요.

주인하고 이야기해요.

I talk with the owner.

Particle -하고 meaning 'with'.

집주인한테 전화했어요.

I called the landlord.

Particle -한테 used for 'to' a person.

이 드라마 주인공이 누구예요?

Who is the main character of this drama?

주인공 is a compound of 주인.

주인 아주머니가 사과를 주셨어요.

The owner (middle-aged lady) gave me an apple.

Honorific verb 주시다 used for the owner.

물건 주인을 찾고 있어요.

We are looking for the owner of the item.

Present progressive -고 있다.

가게 주인이 바뀌었어요.

The shop owner has changed.

Passive/intransitive verb 바뀌다.

주인 없는 강아지예요?

Is it a dog without an owner?

Adjective clause 주인 없는 (owner-less).

주인분이 정말 좋으세요.

The owner is a really good person.

Honorific suffix -분 added to 주인.

이 땅의 주인은 누구입니까?

Who is the owner of this land?

Formal question ending -입니까?

그는 자기 삶의 주인으로 살고 싶어 해요.

He wants to live as the master of his own life.

Particle -으로 meaning 'as'.

주인 의식을 가지고 일합시다.

Let's work with a sense of ownership.

Compound noun 주인 의식 (ownership mentality).

집주인이 월세를 올리겠다고 했어요.

The landlord said they would raise the monthly rent.

Indirect quotation -고 하다.

이 카페의 주인은 커피에 대한 열정이 대단해요.

The owner of this cafe has great passion for coffee.

Noun + 에 대한 (about/towards).

진정한 주인은 책임을 질 줄 알아야 합니다.

A true owner must know how to take responsibility.

Grammar -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 (know how to).

주인공의 성격이 아주 매력적이에요.

The protagonist's personality is very attractive.

Possessive particle -의.

이 집의 원래 주인은 외국인이었어요.

The original owner of this house was a foreigner.

Adverb 원래 (originally).

주인에게 허락을 받아야 해요.

You must get permission from the owner.

Must do grammar -아/어야 하다.

민주주의 국가에서 주인은 국민입니다.

In a democratic country, the masters are the citizens.

Topic marker -은 emphasizes 'masters'.

그는 감정의 주인이 되지 못하고 휘둘렸다.

He couldn't become the master of his emotions and was swayed.

Negative ability -지 못하다.

주인 없는 물건에 손을 대면 안 됩니다.

You must not touch items that have no owner.

Prohibition -면 안 되다.

건물 주인이 바뀌면서 임대료가 폭등했다.

As the building owner changed, the rent skyrocketed.

Conjunction -(으)면서 (while/as).

주인공이 시련을 극복하는 과정이 감동적이다.

The process of the protagonist overcoming trials is touching.

Noun-modifying ending -는.

그는 이 분야의 명실상부한 주인이다.

He is the undisputed master of this field.

Idiomatic expression 명실상부한 (true to its name).

주인 의식이 부족하면 발전하기 어렵습니다.

It is difficult to develop if there is a lack of ownership mentality.

Conditional -면.

강아지는 주인의 목소리만 들어도 좋아해요.

The dog is happy just by hearing its owner's voice.

Particle -만 (only) + -아/어도 (even if/just by).

국가 주권은 국민에게서 나온다.

State sovereignty emanates from the people.

주권 (sovereignty) is derived from 주인.

그는 자신의 운명을 스스로 결정하는 삶의 주인이다.

He is the master of his life, deciding his own destiny.

Reflexive pronoun 스스로 (by oneself).

소유자와 점유자가 반드시 일치하는 것은 아니다.

The owner and the possessor are not necessarily the same.

Partial negation -는 것은 아니다.

작가는 작품의 주인이라는 권위를 내려놓아야 한다.

The author must lay down the authority of being the master of the work.

Appositive structure -라는.

주인공의 내면적 갈등이 서사의 중심축을 이룬다.

The protagonist's internal conflict forms the central axis of the narrative.

Formal literary style.

이 땅의 진정한 주인은 자연 그 자체일지도 모른다.

The true master of this land might be nature itself.

Supposition -일지도 모른다.

주인공이 부재한 상황에서 갈등은 심화되었다.

In a situation where the protagonist was absent, the conflict intensified.

Hanja-based noun 부재 (absence).

그는 타인의 시선에서 벗어나 자기 삶의 주인이 되었다.

He broke free from others' gazes and became the master of his own life.

Resultative -게 되다.

주체적 자아로서의 주인 의식은 근대 철학의 핵심이다.

Ownership mentality as a subjective self is the core of modern philosophy.

Complex noun phrase construction.

법률상 소유권의 주체는 자연인과 법인으로 나뉜다.

Legally, the subjects of ownership are divided into natural persons and legal entities.

Passive verb 나뉘다.

텍스트의 주인은 더 이상 저자가 아닌 독자이다.

The master of the text is no longer the author, but the reader.

Contrastive structure A가 아닌 B.

그는 권력의 주인 노릇을 하며 횡포를 일삼았다.

He acted as the master of power and committed tyrannies.

Expression -노릇을 하다 (to act as).

역사의 주인은 영웅이 아니라 평범한 민중이다.

The masters of history are not heroes, but the ordinary masses.

Rhetorical contrast.

주인공의 죽음은 서사적 완결성을 부여하는 장치이다.

The death of the protagonist is a device that grants narrative completeness.

Abstract academic terminology.

만물의 주인이라는 인간의 오만이 환경 파괴를 불렀다.

Human arrogance of being the master of all things brought about environmental destruction.

Causal relationship.

그는 침묵의 주인이 되어 내면의 평화를 찾았다.

He became the master of silence and found inner peace.

Metaphorical usage.

Collocations courantes

주인을 찾다

주인이 바뀌다

집주인과 계약하다

가게 주인

강아지 주인

주인 의식

진정한 주인

물건의 주인

주인공 역할

나라의 주인

Phrases Courantes

주인공이 누구예요?

주인 계세요?

주인을 모십니다

주인 없는 물건

주인공이 되다

주인공을 맡다

주인공처럼 살다

주인공의 운명

주인공의 시련

주인공의 성장

Souvent confondu avec

주인 vs 사장 (Boss)

주인 vs 임대인 (Lessor)

주인 vs 남편 (Husband - archaic)

Expressions idiomatiques

"주인 뒤통수 친다 (To betray one's master/owner)"

"주인 만난 강아지 (To be extremely happy, like a dog meeting its owner)"

"주인 없는 나그네 (A wanderer with no place to belong)"

"주인 노릇을 하다 (To act as the master/boss)"

"주인 의식을 갖다 (To have a sense of ownership/responsibility)"

"주인공 자리를 꿰차다 (To take the lead role/spotlight)"

"주인 잘못 만난 물건 (An item that is wasted on an unworthy owner)"

"주인보다 개가 더 짖는다 (The subordinate is louder/noisier than the boss)"

"주인 따라 강남 간다 (To follow someone blindly/loyally)"

"주인 공덕 (The virtue or grace of a master)"

Facile à confondre

주인 vs 주인공

Means protagonist, not just any owner.

주인 vs 주요

Means 'main' or 'major' (adjective), not a person.

주인 vs 주권

Means sovereignty or the right of an owner.

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

Legal

Use 소유자 in contracts.

Social

주인공 is the most common way to say 'main character'.

Commercial

Use 사장님 instead of 주인 when addressing them.

Erreurs courantes

Calling a shop owner '주인님' (too formal/archaic).
Using '주인' instead of '주인공' for a movie character.
Using '소유자' in a casual conversation about a pet.
Forgetting the honorifics when talking about a landlord.
Confusing '주인' with '주요' (main/important).

Astuces

Landlord Relations

Being on good terms with your '집주인' is important in Korea for getting repairs done quickly.

Compound Words

Many words starting with '주' (主) relate to being 'main' or 'master'.

Pets

When you find a lost pet, use '주인' to describe the person you are looking for.

Politeness

Always add '-분' to '주인' when talking about someone else's landlord or boss.

Protagonists

When summarizing a story, start by identifying the '주인공'.

Context Clues

If you hear '주인' in a store, they are likely talking about the proprietor.

Ownership Mindset

Using the phrase '주인 의식' in a job interview can impress Korean employers.

Hanja Power

Learning '主' (Ju) will help you understand dozens of other Korean words.

Contracts

Look for '임대인' in contracts, but expect the person to be called '주인' in person.

Lost and Found

The phrase '주인을 찾습니다' (Looking for the owner) is standard for lost items.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Sino-Korean word used to denote the person in charge of a household or property.

Contexte culturel

While '주인' is common, '엄마/아빠' (Mom/Dad) is frequently used by pet owners themselves.

Never call a stranger '주인!'. Use '사장님' for business owners.

In the past, '주인' was used for masters of servants, a nuance still seen in historical dramas (사극).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"이 강아지 주인이에요?"

"집주인이 누구예요?"

"이 드라마 주인공 좋아해요?"

"가게 주인이 바뀌었나요?"

"누가 이 물건 주인일까요?"

Sujets d'écriture

당신은 당신 삶의 주인인가요? (Are you the master of your life?)

나중에 어떤 가게의 주인이 되고 싶어요? (What kind of shop owner do you want to be later?)

반려동물의 주인으로서 가장 중요한 책임은 무엇일까요? (What is the most important responsibility as a pet owner?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It's better to use '주인 아주머니' or '주인 아저씨' or simply '사장님'. '주인님' sounds too formal or like a servant-master relationship.

주인 is casual and personal; 소유자 is formal and legal. You have a '주인' for a dog, but a '소유자' for a car title.

No, it can be used for books, plays, or even metaphorically for the 'hero' of a real-life event.

You can say '강아지 주인분' or use the modern term '반려인'.

Yes, it refers to the person who owns something, though it can be used metaphorically for a country or a heart.

It means having a 'sense of ownership'—taking responsibility for your work as if you owned the company.

In very old-fashioned speech, yes, but it is not recommended for modern learners as it sounds very dated.

Depending on context, it's '손님' (guest), '임차인' (tenant), or '노예' (slave - historical).

It is gender-neutral. You can specify '남자 주인공' or '여자 주인공'.

You say '주인이 누구예요?'

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