主
zhǔ · HSK 7
owner
🕯️ etymology: a dot (flame) atop a lampstand 王 — the master who tends the household lamp
The top stroke was originally the flame of an oil lamp sitting on its stand; the one who keeps the lamp burning is the head of the house, hence owner, master, host. Sound zhǔ starts like the j in joo.
主 — flame/lamp on top of a stand 王
Originally a pictograph of a lamp with a flame on top of its stand, representing the lord or master of the household who tended the fire. The meaning extended from 'lamp/host' to 'master, owner, main, principal'. The character 炷 (wick) preserves the original 'lamp' sense.