What term did Karl Marx use to describe capitalists who own the means of production?

Karl Marx referred to capitalists who own the means of production as "bourgeoisie." This term is central to Marx's critique of capitalism, where he identified two main classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie consists of those who own the factories, companies, and resources needed to produce goods and services, thereby controlling economic power and benefiting from the labor of the working class, or proletariat, who sell their labor in exchange for wages. This distinction highlights the relationship of exploitation inherent in capitalist societies, with the bourgeoisie accumulating capital while the proletariat remains dependent on them for employment. Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing Marxist theory and its implications for social class dynamics.