皇 means “emperor, imperial”

こう · kou

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

コウ, オウ

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 6 · 9 strokes

The story

A king (王) with something white and shining (白) above: picture a crown on the ruler of rulers. 皇 is Japan's emperor: 天皇 is the Emperor, 皇居 the palace behind its moats in the heart of Tokyo, and 皇室 the imperial family.

Used in 天皇 (tennou, Emperor of Japan), 皇居 (koukyo, Imperial Palace), and 皇室 (koushitsu, imperial family)

More from Emperors & Nobles

• 貴 precious
• 帝 emperor
• 陛 majesty
• 姫 princess
• 后 empress
• 伯 count
• 陵 imperial tomb
• 妃 queen consort
• 勅 imperial order
• 詔 imperial edict
• 戴 be crowned with
• 侯 marquis

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.