Japanese word

国王

Pronunciation

Romajikokuō

Meaning

  • nounking

Example

国王は宮殿に住んでいます。koku ō wa kyū den ni su n de i ma su

The king lives in the palace.

Illustration for 国王 (king)

More examples

国王は国民に向けて新年の演説を行いました。koku ō wa koku min ni mu ke te shin nen no en zetsu o okona i ma shi ta

The king gave a New Year's speech to the people.

Core concept

Describes the male monarch whose authority is connected to an entire country and a royal institution.

Common phrases

  • 国王として即位するkoku ō to shi te soku i su ru

    ascend the throne as king

  • 国王を迎えるkoku ō o muka e ru

    welcome the king

Similar words

王ō: A male ruler with royal status in a country, kingdom, story, or game.
王様ōsama: A familiar or courteous way to refer to a king in conversation and stories.

Definition in Japanese

一国を治める王。ichi koku o osa me ru ō

Word origin

国王 (kokuō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 国 (koku, "country") and 王 (ō, "king"), combining to mean a country's king.

Usage tips

  • Unlike 王 (ō), which has broader uses, 国王 (kokuō) clearly identifies the monarch of a country in formal language.

Other meanings

  • sovereignnoun

Word lists with this word