陛
highness, steps (of throne)
Readings
On'yomi
- ヘイ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
陛 centers on the idea of elevated status, specifically the raised steps leading to a throne, and by extension the highness or majesty of the person seated there.
Most common words using 陛
- 陛下へいか
Your Majesty; His Majesty; Her Majesty
- 天皇陛下てんのうへいか
His Majesty the Emperor
- 上皇后陛下じょうこうごうへいか
retired empress; ex-empress; former empress; empress emerita
- 上皇陛下じょうこうへいか
retired emperor; ex-emperor; former emperor; emperor emeritus
- 両陛下りょうへいか
their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
- 今上陛下きんじょうへいか
His Majesty the Emperor; the present emperor; the reigning emperor
- 国王陛下こくおうへいか
His Majesty the King
- 天皇皇后両陛下てんのうこうごうりょうへいか
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
- 女王陛下じょおうへいか
Her Majesty the Queen
- 王后陛下おうこうへいか
Her Majesty the Queen
- 皇后陛下こうごうへいか
Her Majesty the Empress
- 皇帝陛下こうていへいか
His Imperial Majesty; Your Imperial Majesty
- 陛衛へいえい
Imperial guard
Study
Etymology
陛 combines ⻖ (hill, mound) with 坒, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of steps or a raised platform. The character originally referred to the steps of a palace or throne, and later came to mean the emperor's highness.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side ⻖ suggests a hill or raised ground, and the right side 坒 looks like a set of steps. Picture the raised steps leading up to a throne, representing highness.
Reading mnemonic
For ヘイ, imagine a guard at the throne steps saying 'Hey!' to stop unauthorized people: 'Hey!' -> ヘイ, and the steps lead to highness.