天てん下か

noun

the world; the whole country; society at large

Literally “all under heaven.” In modern Japanese this often sounds grand, literary, or set-phrase-like, referring to the world, the country, or the public at large depending on context.

• 若わかいころ、彼かれはよく天てん下か国こっ家かを論ろんじていた。

  When he was young, he often debated the affairs of the nation and the world.

• あんな失しっ敗ぱいをしたら天てん下かの笑わらいものになる。

  If I made a mistake like that, I would become a laughingstock in front of everyone.

noun

rule of the realm; ruling power; control of the country

Used especially in historical or political contexts for gaining, holding, or governing supreme power over a country or realm.

• 織お田だ信のぶ長ながは天てん下か統とう一いつを目め指ざした。

  Oda Nobunaga aimed to unify the country under his rule.

• 徳とく川がわ家いえ康やすは関ヶ原の戦いせきがはらのたたかいの後あと、天てん下かを取とった。

  Tokugawa Ieyasu took power over the country after the Battle of Sekigahara.

noun

having one's own way; running the show; one's domain

Used in phrases like 〜の天下 to say that someone or something dominates a place or situation and can do as they please.

• 社しゃ長ちょうが出しゅっ張ちょう中ちゅうは、副ふく社しゃ長ちょうの天てん下かだった。

  While the president was away on business, the vice president ran the show.

• この家いえでは猫ねこの天てん下かだ。

  In this house, the cats rule.

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

peerless; incomparable; world-famous

Used before a noun as 天下の〜 to praise something as renowned, outstanding, or of the highest class; often has an emphatic or slightly grand tone.

• 彼かれは天てん下かの名めい医いとして知しられている。

  He is known as a peerless doctor.

• 天てん下かの大だい企き業ぎょうでも、判はん断だんを誤あやまることはある。

  Even a world-famous major company can make a bad decision.

noun

shogun

Archaic Edo-period usage in which 天下 can refer to the shogun or shogunal authority; not a normal modern standalone meaning.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの文もん書じょでは、「天てん下か」が将しょう軍ぐんを指さすことがある。

  In Edo-period documents, 天下 can refer to the shogun.