Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

王后 (おうこう, oukou) Japanese meaning: queen | Kotomora

王おう后こう

お

う

こ

う

Meanings

1

Refers to a queen, the wife of a king. This term is less common than 女王 (じょおう) for a reigning queen, and is typically used for a queen consort.

王おう后こうは国こく民みんに愛あいされていた。
The queen was loved by the people.

Kanji

王king, rule, magnate
后empress, queen, after

Related words

女じょ王おう
女王 is the more common word for 'queen', especially for a reigning monarch. 王后 specifically refers to a queen consort.
王おう妃ひ
王妃 also means 'queen consort', but is more common than 王后. 王后 is a rarer, more formal or literary term.

Etymology

Compound of 王 (おう, 'king') and 后 (こう, 'empress' or 'queen'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning 'queen consort'.