noun
house of parliament; congress; diet
Used in political contexts to refer to a legislative chamber, often in compounds like 下院 (lower house) or 上院 (upper house).
See also: 下院 (かいん)
日本の国会は衆議院と参議院の二院制です。
Japan's National Diet is a bicameral system consisting of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
noun
graduate school; postgraduate school
Refers to a graduate school or postgraduate institution, often used in compounds like 大学院 (graduate school).
彼は大学院で物理学を研究しています。
He is researching physics at graduate school.
suffix
institution; institutional building; government office
Suffix used to form names of institutions, especially medical facilities (e.g., 医院, 病院) and government offices. Often implies a building or establishment.
See also: 医院 (いいん) · 病院 (びょういん)
この病院は24時間救急対応です。
This hospital provides 24-hour emergency care.
新しい医院が駅前に開
suffix
sub-temple; minor temple building; cloister
Buddhist term for a sub-temple or minor building within a larger temple complex. Used in compounds like 塔頭 (tatchū) or 院家 (inke).
この寺にはいくつかの院があります。
This temple has several sub-temples.
noun
Honorific term for the imperial palace or the residence of a retired emperor. Often used in historical or formal contexts.
上皇は院にお住まいです。
The retired emperor resides in the imperial palace.
noun
title for empresses, princesses, etc.
Historical honorific title bestowed on empresses, princesses, or high-ranking noblewomen, often appended to their names (e.g., 女院).
See also: 女院 (にょういん)
建礼門院は平清盛の娘です。
Kenreimon-in was a daughter of Taira no Kiyomori.
suffix
Suffix used to refer to a former or deceased person of high status, especially emperors or daimyos. Appears in historical contexts.
後水尾院は江戸時代の天皇です。
Emperor Go-Mizunoo-in was an emperor of the Edo period.
A new clinic opened in front of the station.