Translation and Meaning of: 大家 - ooya

Explanation and Etymology - (大家) ooya

大家 (おおや) It is a Japanese word that can have different meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. In general, it may refer to a property owner, a landlord or a homeowner. It can also be used to refer to an experienced person on a particular subject, such as a specialist or a master. The word is composed of two kanjis: 大 (おお) which means great or greatness, and 家 (や) which means home or family. The combination of the two Kanjis results in a term that can be interpreted as "large home" or "large family". The origin of the word 大家 dates back to the EDO period (1603-1868), when the land lease system was common in Japan. At that time, the feudal lords rented their land to the farmers, who paid a rice -shaped tribute. The feudal lords, in turn, hired the 大家 to manage the properties and collect the tribute of the tenants. Over time, the term 大家 was used to refer to landlords in general, regardless of their economic activity.