What is the Japanese Word for Master? (And Should You Be Using It?)

Have you ever watched an anime or read a manga where someone dramatically yells “Master!” with teary eyes and a trembling voice? Maybe you’ve heard it in a dojo setting, a tea ceremony, or even while someone was attempting to train their cat (good luck with that). If so, you might be wondering: What’s the Japanese word for ‘master’ and when should I use it? Well, my dear curious reader, you’re in for a treat.

Let’s dive into the different ways to say “master” in Japanese—without accidentally calling someone your owner (oops).

1. 主人 (Shujin) – The ‘Master’ You Probably Shouldn’t Use

Ah, shujin (主人). This one technically means “master” or “head of the household,” but before you go around calling your boss or teacher shujin, let’s clear something up.

• In olden days, shujin was commonly used by wives to refer to their husbands. While still used in traditional settings, modern Japanese women might give you a side-eye if you call your husband that today.
• It can also mean owner in certain contexts, like when talking about a pet or an employer. So unless you’re going for a “Yes, master” butler-in-a-mansion kind of vibe, be careful.
• If you refer to someone as your shujin, it could imply they literally own you. And unless that’s what you’re going for (we won’t judge), tread lightly.

2. 先生 (Sensei) – The ‘Master’ Who Teaches You

If you’ve ever been in a martial arts class, you’ve probably heard this one: sensei (先生). It literally means “teacher,” but it’s often used to show deep respect for someone skilled in a particular craft.

• You’ll hear sensei for karate instructors, calligraphy masters, and even doctors (yep, in Japan, your doctor is also a sensei—though hopefully not the kind that makes you do push-ups for slouching).
• If someone is a highly respected expert in a field, they might be called sensei even outside of teaching. Think of famous artists, writers, or even politicians.
• Fun fact: If you ever meet a famous sushi chef, calling them sensei would be totally appropriate—and might score you an extra piece of sushi. No guarantees, though.

3. 師匠 (Shishou) – The ‘Master’ of a Craft

Now we’re getting serious. Shishou (師匠) is often used to refer to masters of traditional Japanese arts, such as:

• Martial arts masters (think samurai training or Bruce Lee-level expertise)
• Performing arts (kabuki actors, rakugo storytellers, etc.)
• Tattoo artists (yep, if you’re getting a traditional Japanese tattoo, you might call your tattooist shishou)

It’s a word filled with reverence and respect. If someone calls you shishou, it means they see you as a mentor who has guided them in their craft. (So if your younger cousin starts calling you shishou because you taught them how to make instant ramen, congrats, you’ve made it.)

4. マスター (Masutā) – The ‘Master’ That Feels Like a Video Game Boss

This one is borrowed from English, so it has a more casual and modern feel. You’ll mostly hear masutā (マスター) in:

• Cafés and bars, where the owner is sometimes addressed as Master.
• Video games and anime, where the final boss or a character with high authority might be called Master.
• Magical girl anime, where some mysterious powerful figure bestows abilities upon the protagonist.

If you walk into a small bar in Japan and the bartender is an older gentleman, calling him masutā might just make you sound cool.

5. ご主人様 (Goshujin-sama) – The ‘Master’ You Hear in Anime

Ah, the famous goshujin-sama (ご主人様). If you’ve ever been to a maid café, you probably know this one.

• Goshujin-sama literally means “honored master” and is often used in historical and fantasy settings, where servants address their lords.
• It’s also commonly heard in maid cafes, where maids cheerfully greet customers with “Okaerinasaimase, goshujin-sama!” (Welcome home, master!).
• Unless you work at a maid café, have a butler, or live in a period drama, it’s not exactly something you’d use in everyday life. But hey, if you have a cat and want to feel superior, maybe give it a try?

So, Which One Should You Use?

To recap:

• Shujin (主人) – Can mean “master” but is tricky because it can imply ownership or a husband.
• Sensei (先生) – Best for teachers and respected experts.
• Shishou (師匠) – Perfect for a revered master in a craft.
• Masutā (マスター) – A more casual and Westernized take on “master.”
• Goshujin-sama (ご主人様) – Use it if you’re a maid or a butler, otherwise… maybe not.

Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need to Call Someone ‘Master’?

Unless you’re in a dojo, a maid café, or a dramatic anime fight scene, chances are you won’t need to use the word “master” all that often. But hey, it’s still good to know your options!

So, next time you hear “Master” in an anime, pay attention to which word they use. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even impress your friends with your deep knowledge of Japanese honorifics.

And if you ever find yourself at a bar in Tokyo, don’t be afraid to casually say, Masutā, one more drink! Just… don’t expect a magical girl transformation to follow.

Enjoyed this post? Stick around for more fun Japanese language tidbits!