傾国
け
い
こ
く
Meanings
1
devastating beauty; femme fatale; siren
Refers to a woman of such extraordinary beauty that she could bring ruin to a country. Often used in historical or literary contexts, evoking the Chinese idiom 傾国傾城.
She is truly a woman of devastating beauty.
She goes down in history as a beauty who could topple a nation.
2
courtesan; prostitute
Archaic or historical term for a high-class courtesan or prostitute, derived from the idea of a woman whose charms could ruin men. Rare in modern usage.
It is said that courtesans of the Edo period were also highly cultured.