Recognize 主 in 主に and 主役. Connect each word’s reading with its meaning in context.

The idea

主 has 5 strokes; follow the linked KanjiVG diagram for their order. Read 主に（おもに） and 主役（しゅやく） as whole words: a kanji’s reading depends on the word.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
主におもにThis shop mainly sells books.
主役しゅやくThe lead role is played by a young actor.
持ち主もちぬしI’m looking for the owner of this umbrella.

Examples

  • この店みせは主おもに本ほんを売うっています。This shop mainly sells books.
  • 週末しゅうまつは主おもに家いえで過すごします。I spend weekends mainly at home.
  • 主役しゅやくは若わかい俳優はいゆうです。The lead role is played by a young actor.
  • この映画えいがで主役しゅやくを演えんじます。I play the lead role in this film.
  • この傘かさの持もち主ぬしを探さがしています。I’m looking for the owner of this umbrella.
  • 持もち主ぬしに鍵かぎを返かえしました。I returned the key to its owner.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

主に means mainly, 主役 is a leading role, and 持ち主 is an owner. Do not assume that every word containing 主 has the same meaning or reading. Compare 主 with 王; pay attention to 丶 when distinguishing their shapes.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 主に in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    おもに

    主に is read おもに. In context: This shop mainly sells books.

  2. Write the reading of 主役 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    しゅやく

    主役 is read しゅやく. In context: The lead role is played by a young actor.

  3. Write the missing kanji: 持ち＿（もちぬし）［主／王］.

    Show answer or example answer

    主

    主 completes 持ち主, read もちぬし. In context: I’m looking for the owner of this umbrella.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 主 from memory and read 主に and 主役 aloud. Check your readings against the examples.