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天威 (てんい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

天てん威い

て

ん

い

Meanings

1

noun

imperial authority; imperial majesty

Formal, historical term referring to the awe-inspiring authority or dignity of an emperor. Used in classical or ceremonial contexts.

天てん威いによって国くにが治おさめられた。
The country was ruled by imperial authority.
天てん威いを恐おそれぬ者ものはいなかった。
There was no one who did not fear the imperial majesty.

Kanji

天heavens, sky, imperial
威intimidate, dignity, majesty

Similar words

皇こう威い
皇威 also means imperial authority, but 天威 emphasizes the divine or awe-inspiring aspect, while 皇威 is more directly about the emperor's power.

Etymology

Compound of 天 (heaven, divine) and 威 (authority, majesty). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with the concept of divinely sanctioned imperial power.