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What is the Kanji for 'Emperor'? | 皇

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Emperor', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Emperor' is 皇.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Emperor

    Reading

    onyomiこう

    kou

    おう

    ou

    Parts

    King White

    Example Word

    皇帝: emperor. The Japanese noun '皇帝 (こうてい)' refers to an 'emperor', specifically a sovereign ruler of an empire. This term is often used in historical or formal contexts to describe the supreme monarch of a large territory or empire. For example: The emperor ruled the vast empire「皇帝は広大な帝国を治めた」(こうていはこうだいなていこくをおさめた). The emperor's palace was magnificent「皇帝の宮殿は壮大だった」(こうていのきゅうでんはそうだいだった). In modern usage, it is less common but still appears in historical discussions or titles, such as 'Roman Emperor'「ローマ皇帝」(ろーまこうてい).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    782

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    King

    kanji

    Meaning

    White

Words Using

This kanji is used in 4 words:

    word

    天皇

    Meaning

    Emperor

    word

    皇帝

    Meaning

    Emperor

    word

    皇子

    Meaning

    Prince

    word

    皇后

    Meaning

    Empress

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 18 kanji contain the part 王 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ball, Jewel

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reason

    kanji

    Meaning

    Whole, All

    kanji

    Meaning

    Master

    kanji

    Meaning

    Appear, Current

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hope, Ambition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sheep

    kanji

    Meaning

    Saint, Holy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ball

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ring, Surround

    kanji

    Meaning

    Levy, Symptom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Crazy, Lunatic

    kanji

    Meaning

    Group, Squad

    kanji

    Meaning

    Display, Present

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ball, Pearl

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tinker with

    kanji

    Meaning

    Effulgent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cauldron

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 13 kanji contain the part 白 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hundred

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bird

    kanji

    Meaning

    Music, Pleasure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Learn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Overnight, Stay overnight

    kanji

    Meaning

    Target

    kanji

    Meaning

    All

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spring, Fountain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Urge, Press

    kanji

    Meaning

    Clap, Beat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mean, Lowly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chief, Older sibling of parent

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 皇 mean?

皇 means 'Emperor'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.