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Kotomora

皇

emperor

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ
  • オウ

Kun'yomi

—

Nanori

  • おうじ
  • おお
  • み

Meaning

皇 centers on the supreme ruler: the emperor. It conveys the idea of sovereign authority and imperial status.

Most common words using 皇

20 of 150
  • 天皇てんのう
    N2

    Emperor of Japan

  • 皇帝こうてい

    emperor

  • 皇すめ

    divine; imperial

  • 皇室こうしつ

    Imperial household

  • 皇太子こうたいし

    crown prince

  • 皇族こうぞく

    imperial family; royalty

  • 教皇きょうこう

    Pope

  • 天皇陛下てんのうへいか

    His Majesty the Emperor

  • 皇后こうごう
    N1

    empress (consort)

  • 皇子おうじ

    imperial prince

  • 皇居こうきょ
    N1

    Imperial Palace (of Japan); imperial residence

  • 皇女こうじょ

    imperial princess

  • 上皇じょうこう

    retired emperor; ex-emperor; former emperor; emperor emeritus

  • 明治天皇めいじてんのう

    Emperor Meiji (1852-1912, reigned 1867-1912); Emperor Mutsuhito

  • 皇国こうこく

    Empire (of Japan); the (Japanese) Empire; Japan

  • 皇位こうい

    imperial throne

  • 天皇杯てんのうはい

    Emperor's trophy

  • 法皇ほうおう

    cloistered emperor; ex-emperor who has become a monk

  • 天皇誕生日てんのうたんじょうび

    Emperor's Birthday (national holiday; February 23)

  • 天皇陵てんのうりょう

    tomb of Japanese emperor; Japanese imperial burial site

Explore all words using 皇 →

Study

Etymology

皇 combines 白 (white) and 王 (king), suggesting a shining or illustrious ruler. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component combination is well established.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 白 (white) shines above the bottom 王 (king), like a radiant emperor whose authority is pure and supreme.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, imagine an emperor wearing a golden crown: crown -> コウ, and the emperor's head is adorned with it.