Translation guide
The system of hereditary noble titles in the UK, or the group of people holding such titles. In Japanese contexts, refers to the pre-1947 kazoku aristocracy.
Referring to the British system of hereditary titles (duke, marquess, earl, viscount, baron) or the group of peers as a whole.
General term for 'aristocratic system', commonly used when discussing the British peerage as an institution.
イギリスの貴族制度は長い歴史がある。
The British peerage system has a long history.
Literally 'noble class', often used for the peerage as a social stratum.
彼はイギリスの貴族階級に属している。
He belongs to the British peerage.
Loanword from English, used in academic or specialized contexts about the UK.
ピアレッジの歴史について研究している。
I'm researching the history of the peerage.
Referring to the Japanese hereditary nobility system that existed from 1869 to 1947.
The specific term for the Japanese peerage under the Meiji Constitution. Use this when talking about the Japanese system.
華族制度は1947年に廃止された。
The kazoku peerage system was abolished in 1947.
Refers specifically to the court nobility in Kyoto, a subset of the pre-Meiji aristocracy that later merged into the kazoku.
彼の祖先は公家だった。
His ancestors were court nobles.
Feudal lords, some of whom became part of the kazoku peerage after the Meiji Restoration. Not a direct translation of 'peerage' but related.
A reference book containing information about peers and their families, such as Burke's Peerage.
Literally 'nobility directory', the standard term for a peerage reference book.
彼は貴族名鑑で自分の家系を調べた。
He looked up his lineage in the peerage.
Specifically a directory of the Japanese kazoku peerage.
華族名鑑は戦前に発行されていた。
The kazoku peerage directory was published before the war.
In modern Japan, there is no peerage. Using 華族 outside historical discussion may cause confusion. For contemporary British contexts, 貴族 or 貴族制度 is safer.
華族 (kazoku) specifically refers to the Japanese peerage (1869–1947). 貴族 (kizoku) is a broader term for 'nobility' or 'aristocracy' and can apply to any country. Use 華族 only for the Japanese system.
Some former daimyo became part of the peerage.