Historical title for high-ranking nobility, equivalent to duke or prince. Used in historical or fantasy contexts.
Honorific suffix attached after the name of a high-ranking person, similar to 'Sir' or 'Lord'. Archaic or highly formal.
familiar or derogatory suffix
Suffix attached after a person, animal, etc., to express familiarity or mild derogation. Rare and somewhat old-fashioned.
The official documents are preserved.
He was granted the title of duke.
A noble called a duke appears in the story.
Lord Yamada ruled this land.
In old novels, you can see expressions like calling a dog 'inu-kō'.
The kanji 公 originally depicted a division of a space, later extended to mean 'public' or 'official'. The reading こう is the on'yomi.
justice; fairness; impartiality
public; official
the public; general public
public; publicly established
public peace; public safety; public security · security police (abbr. of 公安警察)
public interest; public benefit; public good
public declaration; open profession
public offering (securities)
public pledge; campaign promise; official commitment
public management; publicly run; municipally or government operated
open; public; overt
official business; public duties
public road; highway · righteousness; justice; right path
pollution; environmental pollution; public nuisance
duke; prince
public trial; court hearing
public office; public position
public announcement; official notice; edict
fairness; openness; impartiality · Komeito (political party)
official business; government business; public business · public use; government use
citizen · civics (school subject)