Mnemonic
A single drop of sacred oil falls onto a king's forehead. This ancient anointing ritual elevates the king beyond mere royalty—he becomes a true lord, the supreme master whose authority no one dares question.
Additional thoughts
Picture the tiny drop sitting right on top of the king character, just like the stroke sits atop 王 to form 主. The drop is the difference between a king and a Lord—that divine anointing.Quick recall
A drop of oil anoints the king, making him a lord.Details
The keyword for 主 is lord. This kanji conveys the idea of a master, owner, or principal figure—someone who holds authority or primary importance over others or over a domain. It can refer to a ruler, a host, or the main person in charge of something. By extension, it also carries the sense of "main" or "primary," indicating what is chief or central in a given context.
- On'yomi
- しゅ、す、しゅう
- Kun'yomi
- ぬし、おも、あるじ